| Most acid reflux sufferers who work to keep their | | | | In order to help prevent acid from reaching your |
| acid reflux symptoms under control generally have | | | | lungs and giving you acid reflux related breathing |
| fewer problems, but there are some exceptions. | | | | problems, major modifications are required in the way |
| When you suffer from chronic acid reflux, which has | | | | you eat and how you sleep. |
| been left untreated, you may end up with acid reflux | | | | Firstly, avoiding heavy meals, and eating your last |
| breathing problems that can be serious if you | | | | meal at least 3 hours before going to bed can have a |
| continue to ignore them. | | | | positive impact on acid reflux symptoms. Also, eating |
| Many people don't realize that when they sleep, acid | | | | smaller meals with the additions of snacks throughout |
| can seep up into the lungs. This does not generally | | | | the day rather than 3 large meals will keep your |
| occur when acid reflux is controlled, but it does | | | | digestive system moving and avoid a build up of acid |
| happen more often than people think. The esophagus | | | | in the stomach. Eating large meals puts your stomach |
| can sustain damage from refluxed acid, but if acid | | | | under pressure to digest the food eaten, which |
| reflux is treated either with medication, through | | | | means that more stomach acid is produced and the |
| lifestyle changes or a combination of both, that | | | | lower esophageal sphincter muscle at the top of the |
| damage can be repaired. | | | | stomach can be placed under pressure, weaken and |
| However, the tissues in the lungs are very vulnerable, | | | | open, allowing acid to escape into the esophagus. |
| and when they are damaged by reflux acid | | | | The position you sleep in can also have an impact on |
| complications can occur and much of the damage can | | | | whether acid can aspirate into the lungs. When |
| be permanent. This can lead to acid reflux breathing | | | | sleeping you should elevate your upper body, either |
| problems that may be with you for the rest of your | | | | by placing a wedge under your mattress or pillow |
| life. | | | | that lifts your head at least six inches higher than |
| When the tissues in the lungs are damaged, they | | | | your waist and hips, or by placing blocks under the |
| simply cannot work as they used to. The tissues can | | | | head end of the bed. Sleeping in this elevated position |
| not stand up to the erosive properties of the acid | | | | can reduce the risk of acid refluxing and being |
| and it starts to alter. This new, tougher type of | | | | aspirated into your lungs while you sleep. |
| tissue that lungs produce to protect themselves from | | | | If you suspect that you have developed acid reflux |
| a continuing assault from stomach acid simply does | | | | breathing problems, you should contact your doctor |
| not function as well as healthy lung tissue does. This | | | | at once. Suffering from related breathing |
| means your lungs cannot draw in oxygen or filter | | | | complications is an indication that your acid reflux is |
| impurities and toxins as they used to and it may | | | | not under control, and that you may be at risk for |
| cause shortness of breath. Another complication with | | | | even bigger health problems in the future. Your |
| acid reflux breathing problems can be the | | | | breathing difficulties may not be acid reflux related, |
| development or worsening of existing asthma. When | | | | but you should always find out what is causing your |
| this occurs it is not easily reversed, and can seriously | | | | breathing problems so that the suitable treatment |
| impact on your quality of life. | | | | can be sought. |
