So you just left your doctor who told you that you either have Acid Reflux, GERD, Barrett Esophagus, or G-d forbid esophageal cancer.
The excruciating pain of acid reflux
Your head is spinning. He said you can’t eat fats, chocolate, mints, drink soda or other carbonated drinks, acidic foods, don’t overeat, eat small meals, don’t lay down for at least 3 hours after eating, lift the head of your bed, etc.
You walk out with all the literature and ask yourself, huh? Did (s)he say, this or that? Wow, this is information overload, why didn’t (s)he just tell me what I could eat?
It’s important to understand what is Acid Reflux. According to Webster’s, Reflux means a backward flow of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus that causes heartburn.
The key is keeping the acid and stomach content in the stomach where it belongs. You could learn more on the specifics in an article; I wrote “The Mechanics of Acid Reflux.”
We could address this problem many ways, and in combinations, by first understanding the various forces. There are three forces we will categorize, upward, downward and the force the Sphincter valve applies that assists the downward forces.
Note: The sphincter valve is the valve that’s on top of the stomach, that opens to let food and drinks come in, and closes to keep acid and stomach content in the stomach where it belongs during the stomach’s digestive cycle.
The key is to have more downward pressure than upward pressure. The question is simple; the answer is more complicated since taking consistent action is the hardest with the exception of utilizing an under mattress wedge – you don’t need to think about it much once you simply placed under your mattress.
You could go on a diet, stay away from the foods you love, eat slower, eat less, be hungry. What is easy about that till you actually break life-long habits? Unfortunately nothing!
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A wedge that goes under the mattress to lift the bed on to a medically recommended angle that has a height of 4” or 6”.
We don’t need pros and cons for this because an under mattress wedge is the same as #2 mattress wedge described above, therefore, the same pros and cons.
A Reflux Guard that goes under the mattress for a better night’s sleep under your own mattress.
A short narrow wedge that goes on top of the bed.
A simple short narrow bed wedge that goes on top of the bed.
Mattress Wedge has two definitions:
A mattress wedge is a wedge that fills the gap between the top of the mattress and the headboard. We won’t be discussing this because it has nothing to do with acid reflux or inclining the bed.
A mattress wedge is placed under the mattress to lift the bed to a medically recommended angle having a height of 4” or 6”.
An under the mattress bed wedge without the mattress on top.
As you can see why keeping downward pressure, by using gravity, is universally prescribed by the medical industry. In fact, every piece of literature I have seen for medication recommends lifting the head of the bed. Doctors do tell, just about all, their patients to raise the head of the bed. Reason being, studies show that using gravity reduces incidences of acid reflux, if not completely eliminates it.
Does Sleep Apnea help or hinder Acid Reflux?
According to Dr. Steven Park, the Author of “Sleep Interrupted” snoring can have the esophagus behave like a straw and the upward vacuum pressure can suck out stomach content, all the more so with sleep apnea.
I recommended Dr. Parks book, which I believe should be required reading for every human being who wants to stay healthy. I recommended the book to Mrs. Goldberg, and you could read her story.
As you can see, there is a battle between upward and downward pressure. The are many things in our lives that contribute to that struggle, from snoring, eating the right foods, to sitting up, lying down, stress, etc. The key is to assist the sphincter valve from allowing acid and stomach content from passing in the wrong direction.
Keep in mind in all your activity both short and long term habits, such as being overweight to eating food that will rebel in your stomach an hour or two later adds upward pressure. And oh boy the pain and discomfort begin. Consider a Reflux Guard© as your added insurance for all your mistakes. We aren’t perfect and do tend to eat the wrong foods from time to time, or we make other errors. Like the All-State Insurance’s saying goes “you are in good hands.” Reflux Guard© is better, we strive to steer you clear of acid reflux.
Reflux Guard© the most versatile mattress wedge on the market, which is adjustable, lifts the head of the bed. Dr. Park further states in his book that those that sleep on their back tend to snore more.
Finally, Dr. Park says lifting the head of the bed keeps the tongue from falling back, thereby closing off breathing, which promote snoring. A Reflux Guard© can assist in keeping someone from snoring. Reflux Guard© can help with other drainage issues such as sinus and puffiness in the face.
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