PREGNENCY AND HEARTBURN

             
Acid reflux or heartburn or acid indigestion are the commonly known expressions of garstroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD), which is the flowing back of the acidic juices from the stomach up to esophagus. The lining of esophagus does not have adequate defense against the harmful effects of the acid contents of the stomach that causes injury to esophagus, and a burning pain known as heartburn. In most cases the flowing back stomach material remains in the lower part of the esophagus, resulting in heartburn or nausea.

Cause:

Mainly there are two reasons of heartburn during pregnancy:

1)       Firstly during pregnancy the placenta produces the hormone progesterone – which has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles including the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular valve separating the esophagus from the stomach. If the muscular valve is relaxed it becomes leak allowing gastric acid to back up in the esophagus causing heartburn and discomfort behind the sternum. 

 2)       The second reason is that, the uterus takes up more and more space of your abdominal cavity, leaving less space for stomach and therefore increasing abdominal pressure. The upward pressure from the growing womb can easily push gastric contents back up into esophagus.

Symptoms:

1)       Discomfort or Burning pain in the upper abdomen or in lower chest area, often behind the breastbone. It is caused by gastric acid reflux. Heartburn pain originates from the lower part of the esophagus. The pain might be so serious that severe heartburn can be mixed up with angina or even heart attack.

2)       Stomach contents back all the way into the throat and mouth – causing painful burning sensation in the throat, mouth and sour taste in the mouth. 

3)       Sometimes even small pieces of food are coming back into the mouth. These are the most direct and striking pregnancy heartburn.

Prevention:

1)       Avoid alcoholics because it gives heartburn.

2)       Avoid caffeinated drinks that also increase the gastric acid secretion and tend to relax the lower esophageal sphincter.

3)       Chocolate is loaded with two heartburn triggers that is fat & caffeine.
4)    Elevating  the head part of the bed and keeping position for minimum one hour after meals.
5)   Avoid tight clothing 
6)   Avoid Smoking

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. People with the diabetes either do not produce enough insulin (insulin is hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food in to energy) or cannot use the insulin that their bodies produce. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney diseases, nerve diseases, heart diseases and stroke.

Types:

Diabetes mainly is of two types:

1)      TYPE 1: It is also called as Juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes, when the cells of pancreas that are responsible for producing insulin are destroyed by the immune system. As a result, the pancreas permanently loses its ability to produce enough. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood, and while it can be managed, it can’t be cured.

2)      TYPE 2: It is also called as non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or Adult onset diabetes mellitus. It occurs when the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal and is made worse by poor food choices, sedentary lifestyle, and being overweight. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the increase in obesity and failure to exercise. It can be improved – and even in some cases reversed by life style changes, like adopting healthy diet, losing extra weight and becoming more active.

3)      Pre-diabetes: This is also called as Impaired fasting glucose (IFG), Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or Insulin resistance.  In IFG, glucose levels are a little high several hours after a person eats. In IGT, glucose levels are a little higher than normal right after eating. It is occurs in those individuals with the blood glucose levels that are higher than the normal but not enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. This condition increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

4)      Gestational Diabetes: It is High blood glucose that develops at anytime during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Although it usually disappears after delivery, the mother is at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

CAUSES: 

 Type 1 and Type 2 both are caused by the absence, insufficient production, or lack of response by beta cells in the body to the hormone insulin.

Type1: In this diabetes the beta cells of pancreas produce little or no insulin, the hormone that allows glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters a cell, then it is used as fuel. Without adequate insulin, glucose to enter body cells. Once glucose enters cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy despite high levels in the bloodstream, leading to increased hunger.

Tpye2: It usually develops in older, overweight individuals who become resistant to the effects of insulin over time. In type 2 diabetes the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin but for some unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively this is called as insulin resistance.  Type 2 diabetes usually occurs gradually. Most people with the type 2 diabetes are overweight at the time of diagnosis.

Risk Factors:

Risk factors for Type 1:

       Family history of type 1diabetes

      Viral infections during infancy, including mumps, rubella.

       Mother who had pre- eclampsia

       Family history of autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’s disease, Myasthenia gravis,  Addison’s diseases and pernicious anemia.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

       Family history of type 2 diabetes

       Age older than 45 years

      Abnormal levels of Cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood

      Sedentary lifestyle and high – fat, high- calorie diet

      Excess of body fat esp. around the waist

      High blood pressure

       History of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Sign and Symptoms:

S. No.	TYPE 1 DIABETES	TYPE 2 DIABETES
1	Increased thirst	Numbness of feet’s,  soles
2	Increased Urination	Blurred vision
3	Weight loss despite of increased appetite	Poor wound healing
4	Nausea	Excessive urination & thirst
5	Vomiting	Yeast infections
6	Abdominal Pain	Whole body itching
7	Absence of Menstruation	Impotence
8	Fatigue	Fatigue

 

Complication:   

Type 1 diabetes generally has more complications than type 2 diabetes.

Main long term complications are:

1)      Heart diseases

2)      Kidney diseases

3)      Neuropathy

4)      Foot ulcer and infection

5)      Vision loss and blindness

6)      Skin problems

      7)      Hair loss etc.

 Prevention:

 1) Get more physical activity due to that you will (i) loose weight (ii) Lower your insulin (iii) Increase your sensitivity to insulin.

2) Get plenty of Fiber due to that (i) reduce weight (ii) decrease risk of heart diseases (iii) reduce risk of diabetes.

3) Loose your extra weight

4) Skip the fatty foods and diets.

Acanthosis Nigricans

 

Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition charachterized by areas of dark, velvety discoloration in body folds. The affected skin can become thickened and may smell bad. Acanthosis nigricans is a fairly common skin pigmentation disorder. The most notable sign of acanthosis nigricans is dark patches of skin with a thick, velvety texture. Acanthosis nigricans may be a sign of a more serious health problem such as pre - diabetes. The most effective treatments focus on finding and resolving medical condition at the root of the problem. Fortunately, these skin patches tend to disappear after successfully treating the root condition. 

Location 

These patches may appear on the armpits, groin, neck, elbows, knees, knuckles, or skin folds. Lips, palms, and soles of the feet may also be affected.

 Causes

Acanthosis nigricans skin patches occur when epidermal skin cells begin to rapidly reproduce. This abnormal skin cell growth is most commonly triggered by high levels of insulin in the blood. In rare cases, the increase in skin cells may be caused by medications, cancer, or other medical conditions as listed below.

1) Insulin Resistance: Most people who have acanthosis nigricans have also become resistant to insulin, Insulin resistance is what eventually causes type 2 diabetes. 

2) Obesity: Most people who develop acnthosis nigrians are overweight or obese, which is a strong factor  risk factor for developing insulin resistance.

3) Cancer: Acnthosis nigricans also sometimes occurs when a cancerous tumor begins growing in an internal organ such as stomach, colon or liver.

4) Hormonal disorder: Acanthosis nigricans often occurs in people who have disorders such as ovarian cyst, under active thyroids, or problems with the adrenal gland.

5) Some Drugs: Medications such as O.C. pills and corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may caus acnthosis nigricans.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for acnthosis nigricans includes:

1) Obesity: The heavier you are, the higher your risk of acanthosis nigricans.
2) Race: Acnthosis nigricans is most common in indians, americans, and blacks.
3) Genetics: Some types of acanthosis nigricans appear to be hereditary.

SYMPTOMS

Skin Changes are the only signs of acanthosis. There is dark, thickened, velvety skin in the body folds and creases - typically in armpits, groin, and neck. The changes appear slowly sometimes over months and years. The affected skin may also smell bad or itch.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homoeopathy is safe and effective system of medicine which uses herbal and mineral products to

treat disease. Homeopathic remedies are holistic. It is Important, however, to treat any underlying

medical problem that may be causing these skin changes. When acanthosis nigricans is related to 

obesity, losing weight often improves this condition.  

Prevention

 1) Loose weight if you are overweight.

  2) Check insulin levels regularly and keep at a normal level.

Pratibha Homoeo Clinic