Remember that nagging, burning sensation you felt during the night? Or the taste of something bitter and unpleasant in the back of your throat? This could be as a result of gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux is a common gastrointestinal condition affecting many adults. This condition may also be referred to as:
- Acid digestion
- Acid regurgitation
- Acid Reflux
- Heart burn
It is characterized by the movement of stomach contents from the stomach into the esophagus, followed by burning discomfort behind the breast bone.
Common causes include poor eating habits, excess weight and long term use of some medications. In the initial stages of your diagnosis your physician may refer you to a dietitian. The dietitian will assist you with diet and lifestyle modification which may be the key to managing your reflux.
Apart from diet and those causes listed above however, there are other factors which may be causing this “burning” problem.
In the last decade shapewear has become extremely popular. Some healthcare professionals have suggested that shapewear may be a cause for concern when it comes to matters of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Kuemmerle, a professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University stated that “for someone who has reflux disease or is prone to reflux, wearing tight garments may exacerbate the symptoms”. By these symptoms, he is referring to those symptoms associated with gatroesophageal reflux. Tight fitting shapewear and other compression garments are sought after for their sliming and smoothing effects. This apparel increase the pressure around the abdominal area and in turn squeezes the stomach, causing its contents to move into the esophagus.
An integral part of digestion is the contraction or peristaltic movement along the gastrointestinal tract which moves the food along so that it may be digested.
Long-term compression may restrict this necessary movement, hence interrupting the digestive process, leading to abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas in some instances. So wearing that shapewear on a special occasion may not be detrimental to one’s health but regular use may need to be reconsidered.