Heartburn during pregnancy

Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies. heartburn during pregnancy happens for several reasons.

One of these is that the placenta produces the hormone progesterone which relaxes the muscles of the valve which seperates the stomach from the esophagus. this valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and normally stays firmly closed only allowing food to pass while you are eating. When the LES relaxes it allows stomach acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat causing heartburn the acid reflux symptom.

One more reason of experiencing heartburn during pregnancy is because the changes in the body and the development of the baby creates more pressure in the women’s stomach. This also allows stomach acid and contents to be forced passed the LES, and into the esophagus.

However, there are several lifestyle changes that a pregnant woman can do to lessen the discomfort and alleviate the heartburn symptoms. The following are good tips which help when treating acid reflux disease, and can be used when pregnant although they may not remove the heartburn totally:

• Avoid the food that triggers heartburn. Examples of this are chocolates, spicy foods, citrus fruits and juices, mustard, tomatoes and tomato based products, fatty foods, fried foods, and highly seasoned dishes. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux. Also, for foods that you may take which contains little danger of causing heartburn.

• stop taking drinks that aggrivate acid reflux symptoms such as tea, coffee, and soda. the caffine in these drinks can inflame the stomach lining and too much can also cause the LES to relax and let the acid reflux back into the esophagus.

• Stay away from alcohol beverages. This, like caffeine tends to relax the LES thus, creating the same effect—triggering heartburn.

• Avoid eating large meals. It is suggested that taking numerous small meals throughout the day will be better.

• Avoid rush in eating your meals. Chewing food thoroughly will really help in avoidance of heartburn, so better take your time in eating.

• Rest for at least three hours after having your last meal before taking your sleep.

• A pregnant woman is advised to take more glasses of water a day, at least 8 to 10 glasses, though this must be taken not just during meals. Through this, the stomach will expand, and then the LES will be given more pressure, obliging it to open inappropriately. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.

• When sleeping elevate the head of the bed for at least six to eight inches. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. Through this, the gravity will work as much that it will keep the acids in your stomach in their place—in the stomach, not in the esophagus. Try to consult physicians to gain additional knowledge on how to relieve nighttime heartburn.

• Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. Tightness around the waist and stomach will trigger heartburn as it causes uneasiness.

• When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.

• Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.

• Maintain a sensible amount of weight, too much weight and fatness will give more stress in your stomach. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. Stay with your doctors guidelines.

• Avoid smoking. Doctors stated that smoking could cause several effects to a pregnant woman, much that it can add to the possibility of experiencing heartburn.

Some lifestyle changes may be needed. for further information on lifestyle changes click here.

Acid Reflux Addressed

Below is an acid reflux article I received.

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the medical term for “Acid Reflux” is defined as a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus, it can create damage to the esophagus and is a chronic condition.

This disease strikes adult primarily, while infants and children can also be affected. It is normally brought on by eating certain foods, it can be on effect of pregnancy, and is also affected by taking a sleep right after eating a heavy meal. A large number of persons suffer from acid reflux at one time or another.

Heartburn or acid indigestion is another name that refers to acid reflux. Heartburn, is the major symptom of Acid Reflux in the esophagus, and is described as causing a burning uneasiness at the back of the sternum.

Acid reflux symptoms may include coughing, voice transformation, hoarseness, constant ear ache, or sinusitis. The complications brought upon by acid reflux may lead to esophageal ulcers or worse this can lead to esophageal cancer.

However, constant heartburn sensations do not necessarily mean that one has captured GERD already. The risk occurs when heartburn happened more than once a week. Heartburn symptoms more than once a week can possibly be a major contributor in developing GERD.

The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in the body, obesity, pregnancy, or tight-fitting apparels, these all can add to the problem. Yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes that give GERD symptoms.

Another paradoxical cause of GERD symptoms is not enough stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). The valve that empties the stomach into the intestines is triggered by acidity. If there is not enough acid, this valve does not open and the stomach contents are churned up into the esophagus. There is still enough stomach acid to cause irritation to the esophagus which results in heartburn.

Meanwhile, there are already several treatments for GERD today, one of which is to have a balanced and healthy eating plan. And if proper diet fails to work, one can shift to medication therapy or surgery depending on your doctor’s suggestions. Below is a list of several different ways for Acid Reflux treatment:

• Proper Diet: One natural way to cure Acid Reflux is through change in eating habits. A good number of people affected by GERD found success in following an Acid Reflux Diet. By avoiding foods which can intensify heartburn such as caffeine, soft drinks, and tomatoes etc. Avoid eating two hours before sleeping; likewise, avoid lying down after taking meal. Stop smoking. These are some of the regular suggested changes in lifestyle which can prevent Acid Reflux Symptoms.

• Another easy way to treat GERD is to elevate the head of the bed. These holistic type therapies, the combination of prevention of food two hours before sleeping and the raising of the head of the bed, have a great chance for a patient to gain a 95 percent acid reflux relief. The raising of the head of the bed is suggested to be in the range of 6 to 8 inches or 20 cm.Using this method the backflow of gastric fluids will be hampered.

• Drug Treatment: Drugs reduce the secretion of gastric acid. Such drugs like famotidine and omeprazole inhibit stomach acid production and Antacids counteract and neutralize the stomach acid.

• Surgical treatment: Nissen fundoplication, is the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux, it is used usually when acid reflux medication has failed. First carried out in 1951 by a surgeon called Rudolph Nissen and hence bears his name. The function of this operation is to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, the spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let food pass into the stomach, as well as stop Acid Reflux symptoms into the esophagus. This procedure is also to repair any hiatal hernias which are one problem that can cause heartburn.