Choking can be a surprising and disconcerting for many acid reflux sufferers, both children and adults. The symptom of choking usually occurs at night when a person is sleeping, and choking is what tends to wake the person up who then usually violently coughs to clear their throat and catch their breath.
Why is acid reflux and choking occur When acid reflux occurs during sleep, turns off the body's natural defenses against backflow. For example, no longer has the ability to swallow saliva, which neutralizes acid, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes, so it no longer blocks the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. The deactivation of natural defenses can not only lead to heartburn, but it can also allow stomach acid to creep up the esophagus and throat pool, allowing you to climb into the mouth and nose. When this happens, the acid may be aspirated (inhaled when breathing), making the boat in the lungs and trachea, which asphyxia, and possible damage to the lungs.
There are some factors that can cause acid reflux and choking at night in adults. The following is a breakdown of what these factors are important, followed by what can be done to address the problem:
– In the supine position to sleep – If you are sleeping in the supine position (flat on your back), stomach acid can flow freely into the esophagus and remain there for a long period of time. This can cause heartburn, and can also lead to acid and continue rising into the esophagus into the throat.
Prevention Council meeting – Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated, about 3-6 inches above the mattress. Use pillows to support yourself. The idea is to put your body on a slight incline so that acid can not reach the upper esophagus. Sleeping on the left side may also prove beneficial as studies have found sleeping on his right side can make the problem worse.
– Sleeping in constricting clothing – Tight clothing that accumulates around the waist places pressure on the stomach and can force acid into the esophagus.
Prevention Tip – Wear loose fitting clothing / pajamas to bed and avoid pants, shorts, or tight underwear with elastic waistbands. While sleeping you do not want to cause any unnecessary provocation, which increases the risk of reflux or makes it worse.
– Eating before bedtime – Many people make the mistake of eating or drinking directly before bed. Lying down too soon after eating slows the process of digestion, and sleep with a full stomach dramatically increases the risk of heartburn and acid reflux and choking.
Prevention Council – Eliminate foods that trigger acid reflux symptoms acids (IE and spicy foods, alcohol, etc.) from your regular diet, and avoid eating or drinking 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you feel thirsty, drink water slowly in small amounts.
How can I prevent acid reflux and choking in my child Unfortunately, children are also prone to acid reflux and symptoms of suffocation. The main reason for this is that SLE is not fully developed in many infants under 18 months. Signs of acid reflux in the infant are:
– Spitting up often with poor sleep
– Extreme irritability
– Frequent or neck arched back or stretching
– Refusal of food
– Slow weight gain
– Chronic sinusitis or ear infections
If your child has any of these symptoms is necessary that he / she properly diagnosed by your pediatrician. Acid reflux is very difficult to diagnose in children, and your child's doctor can only make the diagnosis and determine what treatment is best for your child. Never diagnose your child yourself.
However, if your child has acid reflux and choking, the following are ways you can help prevent your little one from suffering:
– Modify the diet. This may mean giving your child:
– The smaller, more frequent meals
– Formula thickened with rice cereal
– No foods that trigger acid reflux, such as citrus fruits, tomato products, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, chocolate, etc.
– Keep baby upright during feeding
– Keep your child upright for at least half an hour after eating
– Place your child so they are on an incline so that its head and shoulders are slightly elevated. This can be done using a wedge pillow.
– Your doctor may also prescribe medication.
Finally, any person who is suffering from acid reflux during the night and choking or other symptoms, talk to your doctor and get needed treatment to prevent symptoms occur, so that damage to the esophagus and / or lungs can be avoided.
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