Acid Reflux When Pregnant - How You Can Stop The Pain And Irritation
If you are pregnant, you should know there is a link between acid reflux (sometimes known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) and your pregnancy. In several studies by healthcare professionals, more than 50% of expectant mothers have reported that they have experienced symptoms ranging from minor to major during pregnancy.
Even women who do not have a history of symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, encounter acid reflux symptoms for the first time after becoming pregnant and it is likely to get worse during the second and third trimester of their pregnancy. Even though it can be very painful, the heartburn a woman gets during pregnancy is usually quite harmless. And although pregnancy and severe heartburn symptoms in women often go hand-in-hand, frequently they disappear immediately after the pregnancy.
If you have been fortunate enough to have never had a run-in with the pain of acid reflux or heartburn, the first time you experience it may be quite scary. Lots of pregnant women have concerns about symptoms of heartburn. But before you let the pain of heartburn shake you, keep in mind that more than 50 percent of all pregnant women experience this same issues.
Acid reflux and pregnancy often occur together because:
1. Changing body hormone levels have an effect on the workings of your digestive tract and how different foods are digested. This might affect your ability to enjoy some of your favorite foods and drinks.
2. The placenta produces a hormone, referred to as progesterone, that relaxes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), which allows the acid in the stomach to flow back up into the esophagus -- which is the traditional cause of heartburn.
3. Progesterone can slow down peristalsis (the involuntary muscle contractions that transport your food along the digestive tract). Obviously, this can make digestion more difficult.
4. Acid in your stomach can actually be pushed back up into the esophagus by the growing baby crowding your abdomen.
What Can You Do?
Sleeping on your side can help to reduce your irritation from heartburn.
Watch what you eat and stay away from those that bring on heartburn symptoms.
You may have to alter your physical exercise. You may need to decrease or sometimes even increase your exercise to help with your symptoms.
You might not be able to eliminate your heartburn during pregnancy completely, but usually, barring any unforeseen complications, the well-being of your baby and your health are not at risk.
Helpful Herbal Heartburn Aids Are Obtainable Likewise Economical
Herbal heartburn remedies can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of heartburn that can be so disturbing. One herbal heartburn remedy is chamomile which can be taken in tea.
Millions Of Folks Eat Nourishment That Induce Heartburn
The heartburn can be caused by stress, physical activity or acid reflux. The latter is a condition where the acid that belongs in the stomach travels to the esophagus. There are also foods that cause heartburn in many different people.
Facts About Food Items To Avoid That Cause Heartburn
Acidic, partially digested foods can leave the stomach and travel back up the esophagus toward the mouth when a weakened or relaxed lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle does not close off the passage tightly enough. Learn to control this condition.
Essential Heartburn Home-Based Cure
If you want to try to avoid treating your heartburn without turning to medicines or other store-bought methods, you can try some simple home remedies for heartburn that can help with your problem.