Is it okay to microwave nebulizer or in baby bottle sterilizer?

Some people do airway clearance first thing in the morning so they don’t have to worry about putting time between breakfast and clearance. I am not productive first thing in the morning so I have breakfast and go to the gym. Just as we are concerned about airway clearance after eating, many of us are also concerned about exercise. So I tried to put a couple of hours if not several hours between the two, but when I come up a little short, I take a teaspoon of an alginate.

Warm regards, Linda

Alginate as in Gaviscon? Or something else?

Gaviscon Advance, RefluxRaft, RefluxGourmet and others

Thanks, Linda. Are they all available in US? I remember awhile back that Gaviscon in US did not contain alginate. When I was in Canada recently I brought some home with me that contains alginate.

Yes, they are. It used to be that It took Amazon a month to get Gaviscon Advance. It’s the one with the alginate that comes from the UK. The US formula does not have the alginate. Now they stock it and you can get it right away. It’s effective, but I don’t care for the taste. It’s also high in sodium. That’s why it’s worth experimenting with the other two, which are also available through Amazon.

Thanks Linda, and my apologies if this seems daft, but when you say “many of us are also concerned about exercise” do you mean doing exercise after eating (because that presents similar aspiration risks)? I do exercise daily, and never fasted, so wondering if I need to tweak my approach. I am in the middle of a workup evaluating for GERD, no traditional symptoms but occasionally dry cough. So far, no positive results but two more procedures to go. But I have read that everyone aspirates a little; I didn’t realize exercise may increase the risk of aspiration. Though perhaps I am not understanding your last comment. p.s. I bought a copy of your book and found it very helpful, such a great resource!

Hi there! I’m happy you found my book helpful 🙂

Rereading what I wrote, I can see why it was confusing!

Yes! If we eat and then immediately exercise that can cause reflux. Especially if we drink a lot of water. Just as we don’t lie down after eating or do airway clearance after eating, we perhaps should not exercise after eating.

I know this creates a time management issue for many in our community. How do we fit it all in?? That’s why I like the idea of an alginate. It puts an algae raft on the top of my stomach contents so I am less likely to reflux as I go about my day.

Another suggestion per Dr Huitt from NJH is to eat a carb such as a piece of bread or some pretzels if you’re going to be drinking a lot of water while exercising. She says it will absorb the liquid in your stomach. And according to her, there’s always 6 ounces of fluids, including digestive enzymes in our stomach.

What’s interesting about my testing is that the 24 hour ph impedance test showed no episodes lying down. All of my episodes occurred during the day. Reflux can happen even when you’re sitting upright, but when you’re bending at the waist, loading the dishwasher, making the bed, stretching, etc, the possibility of reflux and perhaps aspirating is greater.

So that’s my two cents. I’m an health educator not a clinician so before changing your current care in any way, be sure to run it by your medical team.

All the best to you, Linda