Heartburn is painful at any time, and it can be caused by a number of factors. It occurs when the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus opens enough to allow stomach acid back up inside the upper digestive tract. At no time is it more annoying than when it happens while you are exercising. Not only does it make your routine more difficult to continue, but it can also force you to stop and seek medication to give you relief. If this is something that happens to you, you'd undoubtedly like to know why it happens so frequently during exercise and what you can do to prevent it.
The more exercise you do, and the more pressure you place on the intrabdominal region of your body, can cause the valve between the stomach and esophagus to open up and allow stomach acid to force its way back into the esophagus. This causes irritation of the sensitive tissues in the esophagus which, in turn, is known as heartburn. It may relieve you to know that heartburn has nothing to do with heart problems, but it's still a painful condition that you'd rather avoid. There are some ways in which you can minimize the risk of heartburn during your exercise sessions.
To start with, you need to realize that heartburn is generally associated with food, from the time you eat it to the types of foods you ingest. Even though some theories about effective exercising say that you should exercise after you eat in order to burn off the calories you've consumed, this practice is also going to leave you wide open for heartburn. Any day that you plan to be exercising later on, you need to refrain from overeating. Exercising on a full stomach can be problematic. Therefore, eating lightly during the day, and waiting several hours after a meal before exercising can help you keep heartburn at bay.
What you drink can also cause heartburn. It is important to stay hydrated while you exercise, but in doing so, you need to avoid fruit juices and even fruit flavored waters. A study conducted by the International Journal of Sports Medicine gave evidence that fruit-flavored beverages increase the chances for heartburn. Keep this in mind and stick to drinking plain water. Carry a reusable water bottle with you at all times so that you can maintain maximum hydration throughout all of your activities.
A third easy way to lower your risk of heartburn while exercising is to take an antacid tablet prior to starting your routine. You should also carry a supply of them with you when you go to exercise. That way, if you feel the symptoms coming on, you can quickly chew a tablet that will take care of the problem quickly.
If these simple fixes don't stop your heartburn problems, or they seem to be getting worse, it's a good idea to see your doctor. Chronic GERD is a more serious type of heartburn that requires medical attention so that you don't end up permanently damaging the lining of your esophagus. Other warning signs may be experiencing heartburn during different times during the day or night.
Want more information on how to stop heartburn? Get more information, tips and resources here: How to get rid of heartburn fast.
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