Introduction to acid reflux in pregnant womenAcid reflux is a common problem that many people around the world suffer from, but it can be particularly frustrating and irritating for pregnant women.
Acid reflux is when the stomach acid flows back from the stomach into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation and irritation in the chest and throat area.
There are many things that can lead to this problem and the problems usually stem from a person’s diet and lifestyle.
It can affect both men and women, but pregnant women are much more prone to suffering from this problem, especially in the later stages of their pregnancy.
Nearly 20 percent of women suffer from this problem in the first three months of pregnancy, and it is usually manifested through heartburn and indigestion. However, as the pregnancy progresses into the second trimester, the percentage jumps to 45 percent.
This is due to the increase in hormone levels during pregnancy, particularly the increase in progesterone. This affects the work of the muscle that is supposed to close off the esophagus so that the food and stomach acid does not travel back up into the esophagus, which is called the esophageal sphincter.
Another reason for he acid reflux in pregnant women is the pressure that the developing fetus is putting on the upper digestive tract, which forces the stomach contents to travel back up into the esophagus. Symptoms
The back flow of the stomach acid can damage the lining of the esophagus, which will cause irritation and discomfort.
Some of the common symptoms of acid reflux include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, constant coughing, sore throat, problems swallowing, and heartburn.
In the second and third trimester, the heartburn and indigestion symptoms will be especially pronounced. Prevention
There are some steps that a pregnant woman can take in order to avoid these problems of acid reflux as much as possible.
These include changes in what they re eating, sleeping positions and general lifestyle changes that will help to ease the discomfort.
There are some foods that have been known to provoke acid reflux which a women, obviously, needs to stay away from.
Fatty foods and spicy foods need to be avoided at all costs. It is also best to eat more frequent and smaller portions instead of several large meals each day.
A lot of women experience the irritation and discomfort while sleeping. This is because when a person is lying down, it is easier for the stomach acid to travel into the esophagus.
It is very important to elevate the head somewhat while sleeping, just several inches will be enough, and this will help to stop the stomach acid from flowing back up and causing discomfort.
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