July 2002

Previous issues

This is a new addition to our website - Runner's Corner!  Each month we'll offer a new article by Kitty Consolo, Ph.D.   Kitty is a veteran runner and exercise physiologist.  She has been running and racing since 1975, and has won over 400 road races ranging from the mile to the marathon and went to the first women's Olympic marathon trails in 1984. Kitty has a PR of 2:42.46 for the marathon and 35:02 for the 10km,  She now enjoys shorter races and masters running.

Enjoy, and please let us know your thoughts about the Runner's Corner!

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Acid Reflux and its Role in Asthma in Runners

Acid reflux is a condition in which the acid from ones stomach backs up into the esophagus (the tube we swallow food in) and back of the throat.  It can also irritate the vocal cords and cause asthma and breathing difficulties.  It can also irritate the vocal cords and cause asthma and breathing difficulties.  For many years, I was treated for asthma when the actual culprit for my breathing difficulties was acid reflux.  I am very fortunate to have a very caring and thorough allergist, Dr. Mike Waickman (Fairlawn, OH) who has helped me immensely in managing this problem.  When it first occurred, I thought I was having a heart attack.  In fact a friend of mine who has had both a heart attack and suffered from acid reflux said that the pain of the acid reflux was far worse than his heart attack!  Other symptoms one might feel are pain in the lower part of the esophagus, burning in the chest and upper abdomen.  Symptoms can occur anyw! here from 1-4 hours after eating.

     Acid reflux often accompanies another condition called a hiatal hernia in which a portion of the stomach passes through the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm and slips into the chest.  It is estimated that almost half of all people over forty years of age have them.  Not all people who suffer from acid reflux have hiatal hernias and not all people with hiatal hernias are troubled by reflux.  A hiatal hernia with no symptoms does not require treatment.  However, if you suffer from chronic heartburn, chest pain and the other symptoms mentioned above regarding acid reflux, it is important to manage them because damage can occur to the esophagus which can then lead to tissue damage and eventually esophageal cancer.

Here are some tips to managing acid reflux:

1.  Eat small, low fat, low acid meals and avoid bending, stooping or lying down for 2 hours after eating.

2.  Reduce or limit caffeine, tea and chocolate. (I know, no fun!)

3.  Reduce or limit alcohol.

4.  Do not smoke.

5.  Avoid eating 2 hours before bed.

6.  Elevate the head of your bed 4-6 inches.

If none of these tips help you, then you can try an over the counter antacid.  If you need it for more than 2 weeks, contact your doctor and see about taking a more aggressive approach by taking proton-pump inhibitors which greatly reduce stomach acid.

Another culprit for runners which aggravated my reflux problem was a magnesium deficiency.  Long distance running depletes the body of magnesium and it is difficult to keep up stores when doing heavy training through diet alone.  The daily requirement of magnesium for men is 400-420 mg and 310-320 mg for women.  Since magnesium can cause diarrhea, take half the recommended amount first and gradually build up.  Try to get a supplement with magnesium gluconate and magnesium oxide.  (The magnesium you find in antacids is not the same you need for your muscles).  Magnesium helps counter the effects of calcium (muscle contraction) so that one's muscles can relax.  A common symptom of magnesium deficiency are leg cramps.  In my case, my abdomen and chest muscles were cramping thereby aggravating my acid reflux.  Keeping the muscles relaxed, along with the above tips, helps keep my acid reflux in control so that I can run and breathe ! pain free.

Acid reflux often occurs at night and is one of hte major causes for nocturnal asthma in adults.  If can also cause an anxiety attack as well as other sleep disturbances.  If you have further concerns, consult your doctor.

Best wishes for healthy, pain free running.