Concerned About Acid Reflux Breathing Problems?

Most acid reflux sufferers who work to keep their acid reflux
symptoms under control generally have fewer problems, but there
are some exceptions. When you suffer from chronic acid reflux,
which has been left untreated, you may end up with acid reflux
breathing problems that can be serious if you continue to ignore
them.

Many people don't realize that when they sleep, acid can seep
up into the lungs. This does not generally occur when acid
reflux is controlled, but it does happen more often than people
think. The esophagus can sustain damage from refluxed acid, but
if acid reflux is treated either with medication, through
lifestyle changes or a combination of both, that damage can be
repaired.

However, the tissues in the lungs are very vulnerable, and when
they are damaged by reflux acid complications can occur and much
of the damage can be permanent. This can lead to acid reflux
breathing problems that may be with you for the rest of your
life.

When the tissues in the lungs are damaged, they simply cannot
work as they used to. The tissues can not stand up to the
erosive properties of the acid and it starts to alter. This new,
tougher type of tissue that lungs produce to protect themselves
from a continuing assault from stomach acid simply does not
function as well as healthy lung tissue does. This means your
lungs cannot draw in oxygen or filter impurities and toxins as
they used to and it may cause shortness of breath. Another
complication with acid reflux breathing problems can be the
development or worsening of existing asthma. When this occurs it
is not easily reversed, and can seriously impact on your quality
of life.

In order to help prevent acid from reaching your lungs and
giving you acid reflux related breathing problems, major
modifications are required in the way you eat and how you sleep.


Firstly, avoiding heavy meals, and eating your last meal at
least 3 hours before going to bed can have a positive impact on
acid reflux symptoms. Also, eating smaller meals with the
additions of snacks throughout the day rather than 3 large meals
will keep your digestive system moving and avoid a build up of
acid in the stomach. Eating large meals puts your stomach under
pressure to digest the food eaten, which means that more stomach
acid is produced and the lower esophageal sphincter muscle at
the top of the stomach can be placed under pressure, weaken and
open, allowing acid to escape into the esophagus.

The position you sleep in can also have an impact on whether
acid can aspirate into the lungs. When sleeping you should
elevate your upper body, either by placing a wedge under your
mattress or pillow that lifts your head at least six inches
higher than your waist and hips, or by placing blocks under the
head end of the bed. Sleeping in this elevated position can
reduce the risk of acid refluxing and being aspirated into your
lungs while you sleep.

If you suspect that you have developed acid reflux breathing
problems, you should contact your doctor at once. Suffering from
related breathing complications is an indication that your acid
reflux is not under control, and that you may be at risk for
even bigger health problems in the future. Your breathing
difficulties may not be acid reflux related, but you should
always find out what is causing your breathing problems so that
the suitable treatment can be sought.

About The Author: Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker's
brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter here
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Acid Reflux and GERD.

Acid Reflux Symptoms - The Miraculous Chia Seed Remedy!

We've all seen those funny little clay animals that sprout hair
when watered. They are covered in chia seed. They have been
around for years and have become an American tradition. Who would
have thought that those same tiny seeds would now be considered
an important source of nutrition? Chia comes from the Aztec word,
"chian", which means oily. It is high in omega-3 fatty acid; in
fact it has more than any other grain - even more than flax seed.
It has the perfect omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. This unsaturated
fatty acid is essential for most successful functions of the
body.

Since 2,500 B.C. chia seed have been used as human food. Known as
"the running food", these seeds were cultivated by the ancient
Mayans and Aztecs. We are just now beginning to discover the
importance of this grain.

Chia is loaded with calcium, boron and other necessary minerals;
antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. It is a complete source of
protein, with all the amino acids in perfect balance. It is
indeed the perfect food. The ancient Aztecs valued chia to the
extent that it was traded as currency. In those times anything
which could increase endurance and control the appetite, was
considered invaluable. It enabled them to sustain themselves on
long hunting expeditions and war raids. Chia seed has the ability
to absorb approximately 12 times its weight in liquid. Because of
this factor, it is a dieter's dream come true. If made into what
is called "chia gel", it becomes a nutritious drink that fills
you up, thus decreasing the appetite. To make this gel, simply
add 1/3 cup chia seed to two cups of water. Stir well, breaking
up any clumps and store in the refrigerator for twelve hours
before drinking. You can store it there for at least two weeks. I
make mine in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid.

Drinking a third cup of chia gel at the onset of acid reflux can
eliminate it for many people. Try drinking that much three times
a day. It might prevent acid reflux from occurring at all. I know
of people who swallow a teaspoon of raw seeds if they experience
acid reflux. The seeds absorb the acid just as they do water. Of
course you wouldn't want to ingest too much raw seed at a time
unless you have a tremendous amount of acid... it might absorb
your stomach. It is best to be conservative and find out what is
effective for you.

Chia has other beneficial qualities, as well. It has a neutral
taste. It is very easily digested and assimilated. It is soothing
to the stomach and esophagus and it has healing properties. Like
slippery elm, it is rich in mucilloid soluble fiber, thus
allowing it to quell the burning pain of acid reflux in the
esophagus and stomach. In ancient times the Indians used it to
prevent infection and accelerate healing time, by packing the
seed into open wounds. Chia gel can be incorporated into many
other foods without diluting flavor, while displacing fat and
calories. It works brilliantly to enhance flavor while replacing
fat. For these reasons, chia gel should be an important, if not
vital, part of the acid reflux diet.

For breakfast it can be mixed with hot oatmeal, pancakes, and
biscuits dough. It's delicious mixed into scrambled eggs. Ground
chia seed can be used in baking bread or as a simple topping on
many dishes. Use chia seed gel in yogurt, jams and jellies. Its
great mixed into polenta, grits, smoothies and milk shakes. Try
it in you favorite blended health mix drink.

Chia gel can be added to soups, salad dressings and even the
stuffing that you put in a chicken. The possibilities are
practically endless. Try introducing ¼ cup of chia gel into your
favorite potato salad recipe, reducing the mayonnaise, in like.
It can be used in many baking recipes as a substitution for fat.
Put it the kid's food. They will never know the difference, as
it actually enhances the flavor of food. They will love it! Feed
it to your dogs. I put it in my fourteen year old Jack Russell
Terrier's food every day. Not only does he have better digestion
and energy, he has better bowel movements. By the way, the F.D.A
considers chia a food with an established history of safe
consumption.

Chia gel slows the release of carbohydrates and their conversion
to glucose (blood sugar). So, besides controlling acid reflux,
loosing weight, increasing endurance, chia has the added benefit
of reducing blood sugar and hypertension. Because of its high
unsaturated fatty acid content, it can even help with prostate
problems. I do not think anyone could go wrong by making chia
seed a part of their every day life. Because of its incredible
health-giving aspects, chia seed is the perfect food for
everyone. It is certainly a Godsend for the acid reflux sufferer,
in so many ways. So try chia seed now. You have nothing to loose
but a little weight. You could improve your digestion and overall
health. It's certainly worth a try.

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Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure
acid reflux disease by natural means. He has written an extensive
report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux
Remedies.

For free recipes, articles and information about acid reflux,
please visit: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

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