Weight Gain May Up Women’s Heartburn(GERD)

[RedEarth]

May 31, 2006 -- When women gain weight, they may raise their risk of developing heartburnheartburn, even if they don’t gain a lot of weight and aren’t already overweight or obese. So says a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

“Even moderate weight gain among persons of normal weight may cause or exacerbate symptoms of reflux,” write Brian Jacobson, MD, MPH, and colleagues. Jacobson works at Boston University’s medical school and Boston Medical Center.

Jacobson’s team created a questionnaire on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERDGERD, often called heartburn). They sent the questionnaire to more then 10,000 women who took part in the Nurses’ Health Study, a long-term study of women’s health.

The results: 6,215 women -- 59% of those who took the survey -- reported GERD symptoms, most of which were mild or moderate. Those who had gained weight since age 18 were more likely to be in that group.

........

The findings support the theory that being overweight or obese is a risk factor for GERD, write Jacobson and colleagues. They add that since the study only included women, they can’t say whether or not the results also apply to men.

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/122/114960?printing=true

[fasttense]

1. Is it cause and effect or just a symptom?

Remember when they did that study that said women who wore bras more frequently were more likely to get breast cancer? Well it turned out that women with bigger breasts were more likely to wear bras and the bigger they are the greater your chances of breast cancer (along with other risks). Remember that other study that said women who dyed their hair were more likely to get cancer. Turns out older women dye their hair more frequently and older women are more at risk for cancer.

I believe this is the same. It's not that the weight gain causes GERD. It is that people who gain weight, or try to lose weight, have bad eating habits and are more likely to get GERD. Anyway that's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

[enlightenment]

2. GERD isn't caused just by poor eating habits.

Not criticizing, just saying.

Most people who have GERD, as opposed to heartburn of the "shouldn't have eaten that fourth burrito" variety, have a combination of problems that are not related to what they do or do not eat. A weak esophageal sphincter and over-production (by the pancreas) of the hormone that stimulates the production of stomach acid are two biggies, but there are others.

It's nasty and potentially dangerous to one's long-term health if not controlled (so sayth one who lives with the damned stuff - and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!)
:)

PS -- I agree with your general assessment, btw.

[catabryna]

3. This doesn't surprise me

I never had heartburn until I topped 180 lbs. I've tetered over and below that amount for the last few years and any time I'd get near that weight again, the symptoms would come back. Fortunately, I am now below that amount though admit I'm still overweight at 165 lbs. My GERD symptoms have disappeared as the flab disappeared.

The reason this doesn't surprise me is that my eating habits haven't caused the weight loss; it has been lost by increased physical activity.

[tanyev]

4. Well......my stomach problems started when I switched to a

very low fat diet. Weight just melted off, which was cool, but I wasn't really trying to lose weight--I was just trying to eat "healthier". After a while, though, the stomach pain got bad enough to go to the doctor. They didn't find anything wrong, just told me to take antacids. I started adding more fat back in to my diet and things improved. I don't know if my stomach will ever be the cast iron miracle it was before this whole adventure, though. Oh yeah, the weight came back, too. :cry:

[madmunchie]

5. My son is young healthy and was a very active athlete

who was on Prilosec for the last couple of years. I knew that since he was a young boy he had stomach issues. If he ever got real excited or nervous, even with his sporting events his stomach would act up. Last time he was home I suggested that he try using Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which he did. He stopped taking the Prilosec and would take a tablespoon or two of Apple Cider Vinegar 2 - 3 times a day. No more stomach problem, no more expensive prescription.

Sometimes stomach problems are due to a weaker digestive system in combination with eating foods that are processed and hard to digest.

I do believe eating close to your bedtime as well as weight as well as our general health are all factors.