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