Acid Reflux: How Women Are Affected

Nothing proves the connection of women with Acid reflux disease , than the study done by Dr B. Jacobson in Boston.

Turns out , that 10,545 women were presented a questionnaire which asked them how often, how severely, and how long they suffered from Acid Reflux (GERD) symptoms. They were categorized according to their Body Mass Index(BMI),

The outcome:

22% had Acid Reflux symptoms at least weekly. 55% described their symptoms as moderate.

Those with a BMI of under 20 were 33% less likely to suffer less from Acid Reflux than if you had a BMI of between 20-22.4.

With a BMI of 22.5-24.9, you would have a 38% higher chance of having Acid Reflux symptoms than the 20-22.4 BMI group.

And we need to remember, that women with a BMI higher than 25 are classed as overweight. And obese.

Pregnancy, which of course is unique to women, also has something to do with Acid Reflux. Hormones are elevated which decreases the pressure on the muscle and blocking reflux. The baby also adds extra pressure in the lower abdomen when the uterus expands. All these circumstances during the pregnancy will make the woman more uncomfortable and therefore more prone to Acid Reflux. It's also more physically uncomfortable because of the pregnancy.

Some easy steps can be taken during pregnancy to reduce Acid Reflux. Start with the appropriate diet but keep in mind that it's how you drink your water that could make a big difference. It is recommended that pregnant women drink eight glasses of water a day. The best way to do this is to drink them between meals, not with the meals themselves. By drinking with the meals, the stomach wall will expand even more and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) feels even more pressure, forcing it to open. Therefore, it's recommended that pregnant women drink their water and other fluid between meals.

If you are a woman with Acid Reflux, you could be at risk for Laryngopharyngeal reflux where the acid in the stomach pours into and affects your larynx or voice box. This condition is usually seen in thin, tall women although obese women are certainly at risk, with the onset being at about 57 years of age. A woman can wake up with a gravelly voice or a feeling that they have a lump in their throat. This is from the esophageal muscle trying to hold down the stomach acid and this can lead to voice fatigue.

Those women who suffer from the above symptoms are well advised to consult gastrointestinal practitioners.