Keeping Pregnant Women Away From Acid Reflux Dilemma
Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.
An increase in hormones during pregnancy, is one of the most common factors. The occurrence of this will result in softening the ligaments which function is to keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) firmly closed. When the LES rests at unsuitable periods, tendency is, this will let the gastric acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat.
Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.
Fortunately, there are several ways pregnant women can help to elevate some of the painful discomforts from acid reflux. The following is some good advice, although this may not remove the heartburn totally.
1. Refrain from foods already known to be causes of heartburn. For example: spicy foods, citrus fruits or juices, mustard, tomatoes or tomatoes base products, fatty food, deep fried food or anything with a lot of seasoning in them. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux.
2. Get rid of drinks that have caffeine, like tea, coffee, and soda. By drinking too many of them your LES will relax and that will cause acid to go up into the esophagus.
3. Always avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is similar to caffeine, in respect to how it effects the LES, both will trigger the onset of heartburn.
4. Avoid eating large meals. You will find that by eating smaller meals more often through out the day will be a big help.
5. Don’t eat your meal too fast. Make sure to chew your food well and take your time when eating, as this will also help cut back on the amount of heartburn you experience.
6. Make sure to rest after eating and avoid doing too much activity on a full stomach.
7. Drink plenty of water through out the day and in fact, women that are pregnant need to not only drink at least eight to ten glasses a day, they should drink them throughout the day. Because if this is the stomach will expand and the LES will be under more pressure causing it to open when it shouldn’t. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.
8. When sleeping elevate the head of the bed to be at least six to eight inches high. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. Through this, the gravity will work to keep the acids in your stomach in their place; in the stomach, not in the esophagus. You can go online or speak with your doctor to find other methods that will help minimize nighttime heartburn.
9. Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. If you wear clothes that are too tight around the stomach area, than that can trigger heartburn as well.
10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.
11. Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.
12. Keep an eye on your weight too, because too much fat around your stomach will put undue stress on it. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. You should always follow your doctors advice on the recommended eating guidelines.
13. Avoid all types of cigarette smoke. Medically speaking the causes of cigarette smoke are very harmful to pregnant women and is one of the known causes for heartburn too. As you follow these tips, you will have a much healthier experience during your pregnancy.
Many women tend to experience heartburn symptoms when they are still carrying their babies, and this happens for several reasons.
An increase in hormones during pregnancy, is one of the most common factors. The occurrence of this will result in softening the ligaments which function is to keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) firmly closed. When the LES rests at unsuitable periods, tendency is, this will let the gastric acid and food to reflux back to the esophagus and throat.
Another reason they experience heartburn during pregnancy is from the changes occurring within her body as the baby begins to develop and grow, increasing pressure on her stomach. Therefore, the stomach contents are forced right into the LES, and then to the esophagus.
Fortunately, there are several ways pregnant women can help to elevate some of the painful discomforts from acid reflux. The following is some good advice, although this may not remove the heartburn totally.
1. Refrain from foods already known to be causes of heartburn. For example: spicy foods, citrus fruits or juices, mustard, tomatoes or tomatoes base products, fatty food, deep fried food or anything with a lot of seasoning in them. Try to refer to medical specialists to know the complete list of foods to avoid Acid Reflux.
2. Get rid of drinks that have caffeine, like tea, coffee, and soda. By drinking too many of them your LES will relax and that will cause acid to go up into the esophagus.
3. Always avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is similar to caffeine, in respect to how it effects the LES, both will trigger the onset of heartburn.
4. Avoid eating large meals. You will find that by eating smaller meals more often through out the day will be a big help.
5. Don’t eat your meal too fast. Make sure to chew your food well and take your time when eating, as this will also help cut back on the amount of heartburn you experience.
6. Make sure to rest after eating and avoid doing too much activity on a full stomach.
7. Drink plenty of water through out the day and in fact, women that are pregnant need to not only drink at least eight to ten glasses a day, they should drink them throughout the day. Because if this is the stomach will expand and the LES will be under more pressure causing it to open when it shouldn’t. Hence, it is really recommended to drink more water and other fluids in between meals.
8. When sleeping elevate the head of the bed to be at least six to eight inches high. Try to sleep with an elevated head and shoulders through a wedge pillow. Through this, the gravity will work to keep the acids in your stomach in their place; in the stomach, not in the esophagus. You can go online or speak with your doctor to find other methods that will help minimize nighttime heartburn.
9. Don’t wear tight fitting clothes. If you wear clothes that are too tight around the stomach area, than that can trigger heartburn as well.
10. When bending, do it at the knees, not at the waist. This will avoid in creating too much pressure in the stomach.
11. Don’t slouch; rather sit erect in a relaxing chair.
12. Keep an eye on your weight too, because too much fat around your stomach will put undue stress on it. As a result, this will force stomach contents throughout the LES and to the esophagus. You should always follow your doctors advice on the recommended eating guidelines.
13. Avoid all types of cigarette smoke. Medically speaking the causes of cigarette smoke are very harmful to pregnant women and is one of the known causes for heartburn too. As you follow these tips, you will have a much healthier experience during your pregnancy.
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