What Causes Acid Reflux in Pregnancy?
As we know, there is a relationship between acid reflux and pregnancy. Acid reflux during pregnancy can be explained by the increase in the level of pregnancy hormones, estrogen and progesterone. High levels of these hormones are required to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus. However, along with uterine muscles, the hormone progesterone also relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and reduces the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. As a result, the LES fails to prevent the back flow of stomach acids to the esophagus. Progesterone also slows down the peristalsis or the wavelike contractions of the esophagus, as well as the intestine. All these factors can cause acid reflux in pregnancy. Acid reflux can worsen in the second and third trimester, as the growing baby occupies a larger part of the abdominal cavity and pushes the stomach acids back up towards the esophagus. Usually, early pregnancy acid reflux is less severe than acid reflux experienced during late pregnancy.
Acid Reflux Symptoms in Women During Pregnancy
The symptoms of acid reflux in women during pregnancy are more or less similar to the symptoms experienced by other people. Pregnant women can more commonly experience the acid reflux symptoms after eating a heavy meal or while lying down on the back. Some women can also experience the symptoms while bending. The most common acid reflux symptoms in pregnant women are explained below.
Heartburn
Heartburn can be described as a burning sensation in the middle of the chest, and is caused by the stomach acids that enter the esophagus. The esophagus does not have any protective lining and so, the acids cause irritation or the burning sensation. Along with the chest, pregnant women can feel this burning sensation in the stomach and at the back of the throat.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation refers to the back flow of acids from the stomach to the esophagus. The stomach acids can sometimes flow back and reach the throat and the mouth, which can produce a bitter or sour taste in the mouth along with a foul smell.
Difficulty in Swallowing
Difficulty in swallowing can be termed as one of the most uncomfortable acid reflux symptoms in women during pregnancy. Pregnant women can experience this symptom due to the presence of stomach acids in the esophagus and the throat.
Nausea and Vomiting
Regurgitation of stomach acids can also cause nausea and vomiting in some pregnant women. However, not all women experience these symptoms associated with acid reflux.
Sore Throat and Cough
Sore throat and cough are usually associated with severe acid reflux. The throat can feel sore and scratchy when stomach acids and undigested foods enter the throat. Sometimes, this can also lead to voice hoarseness and coughing.
Treatment of Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
Physicians usually recommend dietary and lifestyle modifications to treat acid reflux during pregnancy, before prescribing medications. All medications are not safe to be used during pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women should always talk to their physician before taking any heartburn or acid reflux medications. Medications that are usually considered safe for acid reflux treatment during pregnancy are, some antacids like, Mylanta and Maalox, and H2 blockers such as, Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet. Proton pump inhibitors are prescribed only in the case of severe acid reflux. The proton pump inhibitors that are usually recommended for pregnant women are, Nexium, Aciphex and Prevacid.
It is always better to manage the acid reflux symptoms in women with the help of a few lifestyle and dietary changes. Pregnant women should avoid overeating or eating large meals, in order to avoid acid reflux. They should better eat small, frequent meals, and drink plenty of water throughout the day. However, drinking large amount of water during meals is not recommended. Women during pregnancy should avoid lying down immediately after eating a meal. Certain foods such as, caffeine, chocolates, citrus fruits, spicy foods, vinegar, tomatoes and tomato products, alcohol, garlic and some spices are considered as the triggering factors for acid reflux. So, women should better avoid or limit the consumption of such foods during pregnancy. In other words, they have to strictly follow a GERD diet.
Pregnant women should also avoid eating too much of fatty and fried foods. They can consider to take certain natural acid reflux remedies during pregnancy, out of which ginger or ginger tea, milk of raw coconut, carrot juice and almonds are worth mentioning. Even chewing a clove after meal can help to provide relief in acid reflux. Apart from these, women should try to sleep at a slightly elevated position. Elevating the head of the bed can help to keep the stomach content and the acids to where they belong. However, if all these preventive measures and lifestyle changes fail to alleviate the acid reflux symptoms in women during pregnancy, then please contact your physician. Sometimes, acid reflux during pregnancy can require hospitalization, especially if it causes weight loss due to severe vomiting. Therefore, it is better to get the condition medically evaluated with the help of your physician.
By Chandramita Bora
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