Why does heartburn occur during pregnancy?
Heartburn is a strong burning sensation in the throat and behind the breastbone. This sensation lasts from several minutes to several hours. As a rule, it occurs after eating.Heartburn during pregnancy is characterized by a burning sensation behind the sternum. Photo: Getty Here for what reasons pregnant heartburn occurs:
- In the first trimester, the cause is the effect of the hormoneprogesterone. Progesterone is important for maintaining pregnancy, it relaxes smooth muscles, while relaxing the muscular sphincter that separates the esophagus and stomach. Part of the gastric juice enters the esophagus and causes unpleasant sensations.
- Because of the hormonal surges, the acidity of the gastric juice sharply increases.
- In the third trimester, the effect of progesteroneweakened, but the significantly increased uterus displaces the internal organs, and gastric juice along with part of the contents of the stomach involuntarily enters the esophagus. This is especially easy if the woman leans forward sharply.
- The changed level of hormones slows digestion. Food takes longer to digest, if it was too greasy and heavy, stagnation occurs, which provokes the appearance of unpleasant sensations.
Heartburn and pregnancy are related, because whenchildbearing all the body systems feel the effects of fluctuating hormones. This applies to the gastrointestinal tract. At risk are women who prefer fatty, spicy, spicy food.
How to quickly get rid of heartburn during pregnancy?
First of all, you need to tell yourdoctor. Heartburn can be caused not only by an interesting situation, it also serves as a symptom of serious diseases of internal organs - stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers. Therefore, the doctor can decide on the need for examination. Also prescribed medications related to the group of antacids. They neutralize the activity of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, all unpleasant symptoms disappear. The effect of the drug lasts for several hours. Antacids do not have a harmful effect on the fetus, but it is better to entrust the choice of a specific remedy to the doctor. If you are tormented by heartburn during pregnancy, and there are no pills at hand, you can help yourself with folk remedies:
- Drink milk for the day;
- Take once a day 150 grams of chamomile or ginger tea, tea with fennel;
- To drink kissel;
- Not bad symptoms relieve the carrots. Two medium sized carrots should be grated on a fine grater and not in a hurry to eat.
People recommend fighting heartburn withbaking soda. A pinch is dissolved in a small amount of warm water and drunk. This method is good for removing symptoms in a very short time, but it needs to be used with great care. When soda reacts with gastric juice, carbon dioxide is formed. It provokes an even greater increase in the acidity of gastric juice and there is a vicious circle. Diet is of great importance. It is necessary to avoid oily, spicy food, salinity, a variety of marinades. Heartburn is provoked by food fried in oil, chocolate, products from wheat flour. Excluded are acidic fruits and berries. It is necessary to include in the diet dairy products - cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, yoghurts. You can eat lean meat and fish, boiled vegetables. White bread is better to eat in a slightly dried form. It has a meaning and diet. Take food in small portions, 5-6 times a day, you can not overeat in any case. Dinner should be light, it is not recommended to eat 3-4 hours before bedtime. Do not go to bed immediately after lunch or dinner. When the body takes a horizontal position, gastric juice is much easier to get into the esophagus. Also pregnant women should wear loose clothing that does not restrict the body in the waist. It is important to monitor your posture. If a woman stoops, her internal organs squeeze even more. After eating it is useful to chew the chewing gum for 5-10 minutes. Usually, adjusting the diet and daily regimen reduces unpleasant symptoms to a minimum.