While acid reflux affects both men and women, there seems to be some information out there indicating that men suffer from it more. Learning why this is so can help men find a way to get relief from it. The biggest issue is that many of them assume they just have to deal with acid reflux as they get older.
They don’t realize they can take action to get relief from it. They also don’t realize that they need to take such action so that they don’t allow damage to their esophagus to take place. Acid reflux can become very serious if it is left untreated so getting that information into the hands of men is very important.
Men tend to eat more than women in most cases, and that can cause them to also suffer from acid reflux more. Due to consuming more foods there has to be more acid created in the stomach to digest it. This acid backing into the esophagus is what results in acid reflux. Men are also more likely to eat late at night before going to bed which is a prime factor for acid reflux.
Sleeping on your back can trigger acid reflux and many men do so. Lying on the left side is more likely to help you digest while you sleep and reduce acid that could lead to acid reflux. It can be hard to get into the habit of sleeping in a different position though. One way that man men can get relief from night time acid reflux is to elevate their head and shoulders above the rest of their body.
Habits such as smoking and consuming alcohol significantly increase the risk of acid reflux for men. The more they drink and the longer span of time that they have been smoking are factors to consider. Reducing the use of such items or completely eliminating them can help reduce the effects of acid reflux. The esophagus becomes weak when exposed to such activities.
Many men work in dangerous environments where they may be exposed to a variety of chemicals. These chemicals that they breathe in can also weaken the esophagus so more acid is allowed to enter it from the stomach. Make sure proper safety equipment is used at work as well as when working with various chemicals at home.
Men that are overweight are more likely to suffer from acid reflux than those that aren’t. This is due to the pressure on the stomach from the additional weight. Engaging in a successful plan for weight loss by eating right and getting more exercise can help to lessen this pressure.
Some men do know they have a serious problem with acid reflux. Yet they have heard that certain medications for it can result in impotency. Therefore they aren’t willing to take such medications. If that is a concern talk to your doctor about it. They can help you find a medication that works well without such a side effect.
There is no reason for men to simply deal with acid reflux. Instead they need to take an inventory of their own lifestyle and habits. Doing so will help them see where they can make changes on their own. If this doesn’t offer relief than using over the counter products may be necessary. It is a good idea to see a doctor to rule out serious medical concerns as well. Prescription medications for acid reflux may be just what many males out there need.
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