Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is a very common complaint among pregnant women. It accompanies women practically from the very conception of a child. For some it accompanies for a short period of time, and for some it is a problem throughout pregnancy. That is why any advice to help prevent heartburn or get rid of it is so much needed. But first, you need to know where does heartburn come from?
Progesterone affects the relaxation of the muscles of the digestive tract, among which is the so-called. lower esophageal sphincter. This causes stomach acid and digestive enzymes to back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Later in pregnancy, heartburn is caused by the enlargement of the uterus pressing on the stomach. This pushes food from the stomach into the esophagus.
symptoms
Heartburn is manifested by a characteristic burning sensation, a burning pain in the area of the sternum, which radiates along the esophagus. It is also accompanied by a feeling of sourness in the mouth.
Can heartburn be prevented?
A fatty diet is conducive to heartburn. By eliminating from the daily diet, we can minimize the risk of troublesome ailment:
- yellow and blue cheeses
- fatty, fried, sour and spicy foods
- carbonated drinks
- acidic fruit juices, especially lemon and tomato
- sweets, chocolate
- coffee and black tea
- alcohol
If you feel like drinking juice, give up buying juice in a carton. According to research, they intensify the symptoms of heartburn. Therefore, it is best to reach for freshly squeezed juices.
It is also worth trying home remedies before reaching for funds from the pharmacy:
- drink water with honey and apple cider vinegar, preferably immediately after the first signs of heartburn appear. For the mixture to help, mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water.
- drink a glass of warm, low-fat milk – preferably 1,5% fat
- linseed – one teaspoon of flaxseed pour half a glass of boiling water and leave to cool. Drink the infusion at night and repeat this treatment for seven consecutive evenings
- eat almonds. Thanks to their alkaline reaction, they neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It is worth having a handful of almonds with you at all times, which we can always bite if needed
If home remedies do not work, consult your doctor and read the package leaflet carefully before buying a heartburn medicine at the pharmacy.
Don’t bend over
At home, it is also worth taking care of the right conditions – a pregnant woman should not have her head below the level of the abdomen, as this is conducive to heartburn. Therefore, you can think about rearranging, for example, the kitchen so that you do not bend down to get pots or in the room, put clothes in cabinets at head height or higher. If we need to take something out of a low cabinet, let’s sit on a small stool to reach it more comfortably without having to bend our head.