GERD stands for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease, which is also commonly known for causing heartburn and chest pain. Chest pain caused by GERD is often so severe that it is mistaken for heart disease, a severe condition compared to GERD, which is not so serious and easily treatable.
What Is GERD?
Our stomach has acid, which contains enzymes used to break down and digest the food it holds. Without an acidic environment, it would not be possible for the enzymes to work optimally and digest food to extract nutrients for energy and efficient functioning of the human body. The stomach lining is designed to hold the acid as well as neutralize it eventually as the process of digestion continues.
GERD is a disorder that causes stomach acid to spill into the esophageal lining, which connects the mouth to the stomach. It can often cause acid to reach the throat of the sufferer and enter the mouth, causing them to belch and feel very uncomfortable. The acid can irritate the lining of the oesophageal canal, causing it to become inflamed.
What Are The Symptoms Of GERD?
GERD can affect anyone of any age but it usually becomes worse with age, typically after the age of forty. The most common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
Heartburn or a burning sensation in the throat and chest, especially after a meal. This gets worse upon lying down at bedtime.
A feeling of a lump in your throat
Difficulty swallowing
Indigestion and feeling bloated or full
A sour taste in your mouth due to regurgitation of acid in the mouth or backwash
A continuous nighttime cough
Development or worsening of asthma
What Are The Causes Of GERD?
GERD can affect anyone of any age and is found most commonly in males. Certain risk factors predispose people to develop GERD more frequently. The following conditions are risk factors for GERD:
Obesity
Smoking
Pregnancy
Poor posture
Taking certain medications such as aspirin
Eating large meals just before bedtime
Eating spicy and fried food
Consuming a lot of alcohol and coffee
Bulging of the top of the stomach
Scleroderma or connective tissue disorder
A delay in the emptying of the stomach
How Can Poor Posture Cause GERD?
Anything that disrupts the digestive process can cause GERD. Sitting in a hunched position or bending over can cause the abdominal organs to become crowded and squeezed. This can cause acid from the stomach and intestines to spill into the esophagus. It might surprise you how something as little as sitting incorrectly can cause digestive problems. There are many surprising complications associated with poor postures, such as:
Incontinence
Hunched posture can cause crowding of the abdominal organs, which can put too much pressure on the bladder. This can cause the bladder to squeeze, resulting in incontinence and the inability to control urine. Incontinence can be a difficult problem and can be very easily avoided by correcting and maintaining the proper posture.
Breathing Problems
Sitting in a hunched position can cause the chest and abdominal muscles to become crowded and stiff. This can cause the tightening of muscles resulting in stiffness and discomfort. Tightening of the chest muscles results in difficulty in breathing and respiration. This can become a serious problem if not corrected at an early stage. It has a fairly simple solution which involves sitting in the correct posture and avoiding sitting in a hunched or bent-over position.
What Is A Good Posture?
Posture is the manner in which the body assumes its position. Good posture is extremely important to maintain. There are two different types of postures, static and dynamic. Static posture is the posture that the body assumes when it is at rest, such as sitting, standing, or lying down. Dynamic posture is that which the body assumes when it is moving, such as while walking, bending, and lifting an object.
The emphasis on maintaining the correct posture is great because poor posture's long-term effects are very painful, often irreversible, and may even be disabling. It is important to be aware of your posture at all times and ensure that you don't injure your back or spine.
Those who work long hours and sit behind a desk for extended periods must be aware of their posture and maintain it at all times. Sitting for prolonged hours in an incorrect posture can result in many problems, which can often get complicated and severe.
Here is a definition of the correct sitting posture:
Sit with both feet planted on the ground
Sit with feet shoulder-width apart
Both knees should be bent at right angles
Sit on a seat that supports your hips and thighs completely
Sit on a seat with proper lumbar support
Sit on a seat with a proper backrest to support the spine
Sit on a seat with armrests
Elbows should rest at right angles to the body
The Head should be held straight
The neck should not be bent or extended
Shoulders should be relaxed
Best Ergonomic Office Chair
People who spend extended hours sitting behind an office desk for eight or more hours of the day can struggle with postural and back issues. Signs and symptoms may not immediately show up, and often many people ignore the symptoms when they begin to show. Neglecting postural issues is not recommended and can result in severe complications as well. Today there is a growing awareness of ergonomics, which is the study of people in the workplace. Ergonomics works towards improving work-related conditions to reduce work-related injuries, reduce discomfort and improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace.
It is recommended that people who sit for long hours invest in ergonomic office chairs which are ideal for the spine, back, head and neck.
The features of an ergonomic office chair include:
An Adjustable Height
It is very important that the office chair has an adjustable height option so that it is suited for people of all heights. The feet must be firmly planted on the ground and flat. They should not be hanging above the ground as this can negatively affect posture and spine health. An adjustable height ensures that the person sitting on the seat maintains proper posture by sitting at the correct height with their feet on the ground rather than hanging above the ground.
Seat
The seat must be large enough to support the hip and thighs. The lower body should completely rest on the seat, and the person must sit all the way back on the seat. Sitting half on the seat can hurt the spine and disorient the posture,
The seat fabric must be made with mesh or breathable material to allow air to circulate freely. Synthetic material can cause the user to feel very hot and may not allow air to circulate through the seat. The seat should be easily cleaned or washable so that coffee spills and other accidents can easily be cleaned and the seat remains fresh for a long time.
Arm Rests
Armrests should be included on the seat on either side to allow the elbows to rest at right angles to the body. This allows the shoulders to remain relaxed and rolled forward. Hunched or hiked-up shoulders can cause a strain on the neck and back, resulting in discomfort and misaligned posture.
Back Rest And Lumbar Support
An ergonomic office chair is one that has proper lumbar support. This provides ideal support for the spine and maintains it in the correct position. Backrests are very important to support the back lower and middle back to reduce discomfort and pain in the back and spine.
Swivel Option
A swivel option is important to allow the user to reach all parts of the work desk and office without having to get up from the chair each time. It helps the user be mobile and able to move around the room without the need to get up from the seat.
FlexiSpot has the best ergonomic office chair options for those who spend long hours sitting during work. Whether it is in the office or at a home office, it is important to invest in a good quality ergonomic office chair to correct and maintain a good and healthy posture.
The Final Word
GERD is a preventable but uncomfortable condition. If left untreated, it can become complicated and severe, so it is important to ensure that signs and symptoms of GERD must not be ignored. Poor posture can trigger GERD and make symptoms worse in those suffering from the disease. Poor posture caused by prolonged sitting in a hunched or bent-over position can cause abdominal organs to become squashed and crowded, resulting in a backward spill of acidic contents from the stomach and intestines into the esophagus and the mouth. GERD caused by poor posture can easily be prevented and reversed by correcting and maintaining the correct posture.
