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Heartburn during Pregnancy | Dr N Layyous

Heartburn during pregnancy

 
Definition of Heartburn

Painful and burning sensation in the esophagus, just below the breast bone, most of the time associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (GERD) gastro esophageal reflux.

The pain starts in the chest and may radiate to neck, throat and jaw.

According to medical experts, heartburn is one of the symptoms of GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease. If this is not properly treated, it can lead to serious disease like cancer. In addition, it can create lesions or ulcers in the esophagus due to the acid reflux. Statistics have shown that almost 80% of Americans will experience recurring acid reflux even after several treatments, remedies, and procedures.

 
Symptoms of Heartburn during Pregnancy:
  1. - Burning feeling.
  2. - Sense of pressure in chest.
  3. - Burping.
  4. - Sour taste in the mouth.
  5. - Chronic cough.
  6. - Sore throat.
Prevention and Management of Heartburn in Pregnancy:
  1. - Life style management.
  2. - Food and drink.
Life style change to help relief Heartburn:
  1. - Avoid tight clothes, tight belts.
  2. - Avoid stressful life.
  3. - Lose some weight.
  4. - Chewing gum can increase the saliva production which neutralizes the acid.
  5. - Drink a lot of water after exercise.
  6. - Trace what activities make you heart burns and avoid them.
  7. - Wait at least 2-3 hours after your meal before sleeping.
  8. - Wait at least 2 hours after your meal before exercise.
  9. - Avoid smoking because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter and lead to reflux.
  10. - Try to raise the pillow and the head of the bed.
  11. - Bend with your knees, not your waist
Changing your meals to help in relieving Heartburn during Pregnancy:
  1. - Limit acidic food like grape fruit, oranges, tomatoes, vinegar. Changing the Foods and drinks to help relief Heartburn
  2. - Limit or even stop eating pepper, chilies and spicy foods.
  3. - Avoid greasy food.
  4. - Reflux is avoided by decreasing the consummation of chocolate, mint, citrus, tomatoes, pepper, vinegar, mustard, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
  5. - Reduce the size of the meal
  6. - Eat slowly.
  7. - Avoid snacks at bed time.
  8. - Chamomile tea can prevent heart burn.
  9. - Peppermint tea can prevent heart burn, but at the same time can relax the esophagus sphincter and lead to reflux.
  10. - Baking soda and water can help but, should be used wisely. Mix of ½ tipper glass of water, but should avoided in pregnancy.
  11. - Ginger can help you.
  12. - Celery consummation is good for the pregnancy.
  13. - Raw almond are very good.
  14. - Pickle juice can help you.
  15. - Pineapple can help you
  16. - Yoghurts consummation is good for the pregnancy.
  17. - Milk can temporary buffer and the secretion of the acid, so it is not that great for heart burn.

Conclusion:

All of the above mentioned food and drinks can benefit some but not everyone, so it is better to trace what triger the heart burn and avoid it.

 

Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist

Last Update: 2023-09-29 05:53:53
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