Acidity and heartburn are increasingly becoming common lifestyle disorders. Busy lives, hectic schedules, mental stress, rat-race anxiety, and not enough time to eat! These are some of the reasons causing acidity and hyperacidity problems and makes it important to understand Yoga for acidity. Hyperacidity may be accompanied by flatulence (excess gas formation) and heartburn. Though these are modern ailments, the ancient science of Yoga may offer some relief. Yes, that’s right: it’s yoga for acidity management as well.
Before diving into Yoga for acidity and Yoga for acid reflux management, let’s look at some factors that contribute to acidity:
1. Diet: Absence of a well-balanced diet and home-cooked fresh meals are the main causes of acidity these days. Not eating on time and consuming greasy, processed, and spicy foods can trigger excess acid formation in your stomach thus the need of Yoga for acidity.
2. Alcohol: Aggravates the inner lining of your stomach and induces acid production, which can trigger other digestive issues as well.
3. Stress: Long-term or chronic stress is one of the major factors that cause hyperacidity.
4. Smoking: Relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, causing stomach acid to retreat to the throat region, leading to acid reflux and heartburn.
5. Caffeine: Stimulates the production of gastric acid, causing acidity. Coffee, aerated drinks, and chocolates should be consumed in limited quantities because they contain caffeine
Now, as part of yoga for acid reflux management and Yoga for acidity` management, let us understand the symptoms of acidity:
Symptoms of acidity will vary from individual to individual. There are various signs ranging from coughing, gas, and mild discomfort to extreme pain. Heartburns are caused due to gastroesophageal reflux. This happens because the valve between the stomach and oesophagus becomes weak. Due to this, reflux of undigested food happens to the upper part of the food pipe, causing a burning sensation. This is commonly termed as heartburn.
1. Mild Discomfort: An increase in stomach acid might trigger gas production, causing secondary symptoms such as some abdominal pain, bloating, and belching.
2. Gastric Ulcers: The lining of the stomach can endure the acid, but prolonged periods of acid build-up will damage the lining of the stomach. Gastric ulcers can form and progress to bleeding ulcers, which will damage the stomach lining and require medical attention.
3. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) : A serious condition where stomach acid travels upwards through the oesophagus. Continuous acid reflux can damage the oesophageal lining, causing extreme abdominal pain, cramps, heartburn, and bloating. This condition requires medical help and monitoring.
Yoga for acidity and reflux management emphasizes healthier lifestyle and dietary discipline:
Healthy Routines: Early to bed and eating at the correct time helps. Avoid late-night parties and junk food. Leaving too much time between meals creates an environment of excessive acid production.
Eat Slowly: Chewing food properly helps in the adequate mixing of saliva secreted in the mouth, facilitating proper digestion.
Quit Smoking
Opt for Organic Foods: Eat a balanced diet comprising lots of seasonal fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
Drink Ample Water: This helps flush out excess acids and creates good bowel movements, reducing gas formation. A warm glass of water with a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon helps daily.
Probiotics: Yogurt and buttermilk are natural probiotics containing helpful bacteria that keep your gut healthy and neutralize stomach acid. Consuming yogurt with lunch is recommended.
Avoid Caffeine: Limit beverages like tea, coffee, and aerated drinks. Avoid oily, deep-fried foods, packaged, processed, and spicy foods.
Helpful Spices: Clove, ginger, and garlic are good for digestion and reducing gas.
Avoid Alcohol.
Regular Exercise: Incorporate a routine of regular yoga exercise to manage your metabolism. A brisk walk in the morning and evening for 20-25 minutes in natural sunlight makes a big difference.
Manage Stress: Individuals suffering from hyperacidity should keep their stress levels in check. They should learn to manage anxiety and emotional wellness, and try to accept things, people, and situations as they are. Thinking of others and sharing a joke also helps.
Recommended Yoga Healing
Yoga poses for acidity- Effective yoga asanas for acidity that are part of yoga for acidity and acid reflux management
Yoga poses for acidity: The recommended Yoga poses for acidity give abdominal compression and gently massage the internal organs. These help to tone the internal organs' functioning and improve blood circulation. The suggested yoga asanas for acidity massage the digestive organs and improve gastrointestinal balance and their functions. Yoga poses are effective in weight loss and keep the metabolism in check.
1. Vajrasana: A safe asana that can be done immediately after eating your meal to get its full benefit. If unable to sit in Vajrasana, any meditative pose like Sukhasana with a straight back also helps.
2. Other recommended yoga poses or Yoga asana for acidity include Bhujangasana, Paschimottanasana, Ustrasana, Makarasana, Matsyasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, and Pavanamuktasana.
Pranayama: Pranayama is an essential ingredient of yoga for gastric reflux management. It helps enhance the oxygenated blood supply to the brain, relaxing the nervous system and benefiting the digestive system. Sheetali pranayama, Bhramari pranayama, Pranayama IV (abdominal breathing), and Anulom Vilom pranayama (alternate breathing without retention) are particularly good in reducing stress and tension, indirectly helping to reduce acidity problems and hence is a perfect Yoga for gastric reflux management.
By incorporating these practices, yoga for acid reflux, yoga for gastric reflux, and yoga poses for acidity can significantly improve your overall digestive health. Remember, consistency and dedication are key to reaping the full benefits of yoga for acidity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle
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