One of the most unpleasant sensations experienced by women during pregnancy is heartburn (one of the manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease – GERD). She haunts almost all women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Heartburn occurs, as a rule, due to an increase in the amount of gastric juice that irritates the stomach wall. Treating heartburn during pregnancy is a tricky business.
The causes of heartburn
The causes of heartburn are a decrease in the tone of the esophageal sphincter, changes in peristalsis (contraction of the walls of the tubular organs, which promotes the movement of their contents to the outlets), as well as an increase in pressure inside the abdomen, which leads to the movement of stomach contents into the esophagus. Also, due to a change in the hormonal balance of the body, the work of some glands that affect digestion is disrupted. Therefore, the goal of treating heartburn during pregnancy is to reduce the aggressiveness of the action of gastric juice that appears after eating (especially fatty).
Non-drug treatments for heartburn
With a mild degree of the disease, treatment of heartburn during pregnancy can be carried out without resorting to the use of drugs. It will be enough to slightly adjust your lifestyle. A woman suffering from GERD needs to sleep on a bed with a head raised 15 degrees, it is worth refraining from eating before bedtime, as well as from using food that can cause heartburn. Smoking should be stopped or reduced to a minimum. You can not use corsets and tight belts, as well as prevent constipation, as all these factors increase intrauterine pressure. It is better to eat 5 or 6 times a day, in small portions.
Folk remedies for treating heartburn
There are many folk remedies for treating heartburn. One of the most popular remedies for heartburn is soda. Of course, heartburn after taking it goes away quickly, but for a very short time. This is due to the fact that after the effect of soda on stomach acid, carbon dioxide is produced, and then hydrochloric acid is released again. In addition, the sodium in baking soda can cause swelling.
Many people advise eating seeds and various nuts in case of heartburn. However, they are more likely to prevent heartburn than to relieve existing symptoms. Common means of treatment of heartburn during pregnancy is the ordinary milk. The same result is attributed to grapefruit and carrot juice, as well as mineral water. However, you should not drink highly carbonated water with heartburn, it is better to wait until the gas disappears.
Also, many recipes for herbal tinctures have been created to get rid of discomfort. Various fees can be found in pharmacies as well.
Heartburn medications
Any medication taken during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor. Medicines for treating heartburn during pregnancy usually contain aluminum and magnesium salts, form a film that protects the walls of the stomach, and improve the functioning of the esophageal sphincter. Antacid drugs neutralize the effects of stomach acid. However, they should not be used for a long time, as they can cause problems with digestion.
Expectant mothers should not worry about heartburn, as it does not affect the development of the fetus. However, the use of a large number of drugs can negatively affect the health of the unborn baby. Therefore, sometimes it is worth refusing to take unnecessary medications and paying more attention to a healthy diet and a correct lifestyle.