What Should You Know About Heartburn
A Woman with Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn is a symptom that feels like a burning in your chest, and is a symptom of acid reflux .
Do most people get heartburn?
Heartburn is more common during pregnancy. Most people get heartburn after meals, but can also awaken people while they are sleeping. People also may experience heartburn after eating specific foods or drinking certain beverages.
What can heartburn be a sign or symptom of?
Symptoms of acid reflux that may accompany heartburn include
- difficulty swallowing,
- stomach pain or burning in the upper abdomen,
- persistent sore throat,
- regurgitation of foods or liquids with a taste of acid in the throat, and
- persistent hoarseness or laryngitis.
How can you tell if you are having a heart attack or heartburn?
- If you think that you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately to save your life.
- A heart attack and heartburn can have the same symptoms, for example, be the same, for example, heartburn is a symptom of another disease or condition, for example, chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting.
- Heart attack signs and symptoms that are not the same as in heartburn include, for example, dizziness, toothache, and headache while heartburn symptoms include problems swallowing, persistant sore throat, hoarseness, laryngitis or reflux laryngitis.
How can you get rid of heartburn?
Heartburn can be relieved and cured for many people with lifestyle changes, for example,
When To Get Medical Help
See your midwife or GP if you need help managing your symptoms or if changes to your diet and lifestyle do not work. They may recommend medicine to ease your symptoms.
You should also see your midwife or GP if you have any of the following:
- difficulty eating or keeping food down
- weight loss
- stomach pains
Your midwife or GP may ask about your symptoms and examine you by pressing gently on different areas of your chest and stomach to see whether it’s painful.
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Heartburn During Pregnancy
If heartburn isnt going away, talk to your provider. They can prescribe medications that are safe to take while pregnant.
You should also call your provider if you:
- Have heartburn that wakes you up at night.
- Have trouble swallowing.
- Have black poop.
- Are losing weight.
Heartburn can have similar symptoms to a heart attack. If youve never had heartburn before and youre having chest pains, call your provider or head to the nearest ER.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Heartburn during pregnancy is a common pregnancy symptom, especially in the third trimester. You can prevent or get relief from heartburn during pregnancy by making a few changes to your diet, like eating more frequent but smaller meals and avoiding spicy or fried foods. Some yogurt or milk may also help relieve symptoms. Before you take antacids, be sure to check with your provider for the safest option to take during pregnancy.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/29/2021.
References
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How To Ease Heartburn During Pregnancy
Before you despair, there are a number of simple and gentle lifestyle and dietary changes you can make, to help ease your heartburn symptoms.
Portion sizes and pregnancy heartburn
Eating large portions at mealtimes can play havoc with your digestive system at the best of times, let alone when youre pregnant and have a baby squishing your insides, too. Cockburn suggests that eating little and often is the key.
Ditching the breakfast, lunch and dinner routine and instead eating more regular small, healthy meals throughout the day can often ease symptoms, she says. Its also important to remember to sit up straight while eating, to reduce pressure on the stomach.
Pregnancy heartburn culprit foods
When it comes to heartburn, there are a few classic culprit foods that you may want to consider cutting out of your diet, to help alleviate symptoms.
Classic culprits include citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, fatty and spicy foods, as well as onions and garlic, explains Dr Geetha Venkat, from The Harley Street Clinic. What you drink also needs to be examined. We would suggest you steer clear of tea and coffee -including decaf, as well as fizzy drinks and alcohol.
Keep a pregnancy heartburn food diary
If youve tried cutting out the more obvious culprits above, but are still suffering with heartburn, it may be worth noting down what you are eating and drinking at each meal, to see if you can see any correlation between certain meal ingredients and your symptoms.
What Can I Do To Handle Heartburn In Pregnancy
Q: Why is heartburn a problem during pregnancy?
Heartburn is one of the most common complaints in pregnancy. The hormone progesterone is elevated in pregnancy and causes muscles to relax. One of the muscles that relaxes is the pyloric sphincter, which is the doorway between the stomach and esophagus. When this muscle relaxes from the normal hormones of pregnancy, heartburn can occur. This situation is complicated by the expanding uterus, which can push on the stomach and force acid up toward the esophagus. Many women get heartburn during pregnancy and it worsens as pregnancy progresses. As with many other pregnancy aches and pains, it usually goes away after the baby is born.
The most common symptoms of acid reflux during pregnancy are:
- Burning in the chest, known as heartburn
- Burning in the throat or an acid taste in the mouth
- Stomach or chest pain
- A raspy voice or sore throat
- A dry cough.
Several lifestyle changes may help reduce heartburn symptoms. I suggest that pregnant women:
Certain foods may help with heartburn. Moms-to-be can try to:
Some medications can also provide relief. Antacids that have calcium or magnesium are good options. Women should avoid taking antacids that contain aspirin or sodium bicarbonate. Women should always tell their midwife about any over-the-counter medications they are using. If antacids dont work, histamine blockers such as ranitidine and famotidine have been found to be safe in pregnancy.
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Burning Sensation In Chest And Throat
This is of course, the commonest symptom that one experiences while having heartburn during pregnancy, or at anytime for that matter. This is especially worse while lying down. Thus, the head should be propped up with pillows to keep it at a higher level than the feet. Also, spicy and rich foods should be avoided during pregnancy as much as possible, so as to keep heartburn away.
Or Inquire About Proton Pump Inhibitors
If other medications don’t help, there are also proton pump inhibitors , such as Prevacid. These have a more powerful acid-suppressing effect than H2 blockers, and most are available over the counter.
Although PPIs are, in general, safe for pregnant women, animal studies have raised concerns that omeprazole could harm a developing fetus, Dr. Richter says. “My recommendation to patients would be to avoid that one because there are about five or six out there on the market, with the H2 blockers,” he says. “All of them look to be safe during pregnancy.”
Be sure to discuss any medications with your doctor.
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Is Heartburn A Sign Of Pregnancy
If you have heartburn or heartburn, could it mean that youre pregnant? Its possible. Heartburn is a common incident for most people at one time or another, but doesnt necessarily indicate youre pregnant. However, if you experience other symptoms, such as a missed out on period or nausea, these could be signs that you have to take a pregnancy test.
Why Treat Heartburn And Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
Heartburn and acid reflux are traditionally considered innocuous because they are common in pregnancy and are usually self-limiting. However, a recent study suggests that GERD is associated with an increase in the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy , which can have serious negative effects on a womans quality of life. In a prospective cohort study conducted by the Motherisk Program, 194 pregnant women with NVP and heartburn or acid reflux were compared with 188 pregnant women with NVP who did not have heartburn or acid reflux. The 2 groups were assessed for severity of NVP with the pregnancy-unique quantification of emesis and nausea score, which is a validated scoring tool based on frequency and duration of nausea, vomiting, and retching in the past 24 hours, with a high score indicating more severe NVP. Quality of life was measured by the well-being score, with 0 being the worst and 10 being the best. Forty-eight percent of women in the control group had severe NVP according to the PUQE, compared with 75% in the group with heartburn and acid reflux. The mean well-being score in the control group was significantly higher than that in the group with heartburn and acid reflux .
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Get Treated For Acid Reflux
Need specific medication for acid reflux? Get in touch with us at Gastro Center NJ to learn how to manage acid reflux during pregnancy.
With our expertise treating digestive problems, were dedicated to giving you a more pleasant pregnancy by creating a treatment plan that will soothe your discomfort.
Fluids Are Your Friends
Having a baby using your bladder as a trampoline may not encourage you to drink a lot of water but trust us, water will drown out the pesky reflux thats lit a fire in your belly. It will effectively stop it from making its way upwards and ensure that your insides are soothed. Drink water but not all at once. Ensure that you sip on fluids throughout the day.
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Here Are A Few Safe And Best Ways For Getting Rid Of Heartburn When Pregnant:
- Yogurt: It is a probiotic, and the soothing texture makes yogurt one of the best options for treating heartburn or dousing the burning sensation for a while.
- Sip milk with honey: A tablespoon of honey, when mixed with a glass of warm milk, helps neutralize the acid that causes heartburn.
- Almonds: Eating a handful of almonds might offer heartburn relief as these nuts possess a low acidity level compared to others.
- Pineapple or papaya: For some women, all those digestive enzymes present in pineapple and papaya helps in easing symptoms. When you eat these fruits after meals can help digestion and decrease the chance of heartburn.
- Ginger: You might know that ginger is one of the best remedies for an upset stomach. That also makes it a good candidate for getting rid of heartburn also. Among several benefits, it can also decrease inflammation and prohibit stomach acid while traveling towards the esophagus.
- Chew sugar-free gum: Another efficient method for dealing the heartburn is chewing sugar-free gum. When you chew sugar-free gum after a meal, it assists in decreasing acid reflux.
When everything fails, some medications are safe for use to get rid of the relief of heartburn.
What Surgical Procedures Treat And Cure Heartburn
Laparoscopic surgical procedures are available to treat heartburn. This option is usually only chosen if lifestyle changes and medications have not helped. There also are endoscopic treatments for treating heartburn that don’t require surgery, but endoscopic procedures are much less used that surgery.
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Heartburn During Pregnancy Remedies
Preventing heartburn is the best way to deal with it! Here are some helpful tips for avoiding heartburn:
- Eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals
- Wait an hour after eating to lie down
- Avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods
If you are experiencing heartburn, there are a few natural ways to relieve the symptoms:
- Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk
- Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk
Over-the-counter antacids may prove helpful in relieving your heartburn, but do not take antacids without speaking to your healthcare provider. Some antacids contain high levels of sodium, which can cause fluid buildup in body tissues. Some also contain aluminum, which is not considered safe for pregnancy.
If your heartburn is severe, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication for you.
Want to Know More?
Marshmallow Can Heal Heartburn
The very popular herb marshmallow contains a mucilage property that helps coat your esophagus and stomach lining. This creates a protective barrier against stomach acid and you get rid of heartburn. What more, marshmallow can even repair the damage done to your food pipe and stomach lining by excessive acid.Make Marshmallow Infusion for Heartburn
Get this:
- In the morning, drink this thick herbal infusion which would taste bitter-sweet.
Precaution: If you are taking some medication, consult your doctor before using any herb.
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How To Get Rid Of Heartburn Naturally
You can improve heartburn symptoms or get rid of it completely by making a few small changes to your lifestyle. Lifestyle changes you might want to try include:
- eating smaller meals more often to help avoid overeating
- elevating your head and shoulders in bed so your head and chest are positioned higher than your waist
- losing weight if you are overweight
- quitting smoking if you smoke
- cutting out food and drink from your diet that can trigger heartburn
- limiting your alcohol intake
- wearing loose-fitting clothes that are not tight around your waist
- not eating close to bedtime
If you suspect a medication you are already taking may be causing your symptoms, do not stop taking that medication unless you have consulted your doctor first.
When To See A Doctor
Acid reflux is a common occurrence among pregnant women and should be no cause for worry. Common symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Burning sensation in the chest usually after eating
- Chest pain
- Bad breath
- Disrupted sleep
On the other hand, consider getting in touch with a gastroenterologist once you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- You are experiencing bloody bowel movements
- You have observed a change in your bowel movements
- You have chronic cough that wont go away with medication
- Your heartburn has become more frequent or severe
- Your acid reflux symptoms are accompanied by unprecedented weight loss
- You experience heartburn symptoms even after taking medication
- Your stomach pain gets worse with time
- Your acid reflux symptoms are accompanied with neck, jaw, arm, or leg pain not related to pregnancy
- You have difficulty breathing
- You experience extreme fatigue and weakness
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What Medications Are Safe To Take During Pregnancy
Over-the-counter antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms. Those made of calcium carbonate or magnesium are good options.
However, it may be best to avoid magnesium during the last trimester of pregnancy. Magnesium could interfere with contractions during labor.
Most doctors recommend avoiding antacids that contain high levels of sodium. These antacids can lead to a buildup of fluid in the tissues.
You should also avoid any antacids that list aluminum on the label, as in aluminum hydroxide or aluminum carbonate. These antacids can lead to constipation.
Finally, stay away from medications like Alka-Seltzer that may contain aspirin.
Ask your doctor for the best option. If you find yourself downing bottles of antacids, your heartburn may have progressed to gastroesophageal acid reflux disease . In that case, you may need a stronger treatment.
How To Get Rid Of Burning Sensation In Throat During Pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Are you suffering from a burning sensation in your throat? This is common in pregnancy, and does not often have to do with eating spicy foods. This can often occur due to progesterone, which relaxes the muscles of the uterus and also causes the upper stomach valves to relax. This leads to a backflow or reflux of the gastric acid into the esophagus. If you are experiencing a burning sensation in your throat, use these tips to resolve the problem.
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Learn What Causes Heartburn For Youthen Avoid It
Fat, caffeine, chocolate, citruspregnant women with heartburn have been advised to avoid all of the above at one time or another. But what causes reflux in one woman might not be a trigger for another.
Rather than tell his pregnant patients to avoid a specific food, Dr. Richter says he advises them to stay away from foods that specifically aggravate them. Everybody’s different, Dr. Richter says. Some pregnant women can chow down on spicy Mexican food or a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with no ill effects.
Heartburn Symptoms And Pre
If your heartburn symptoms don’t go away with medicine, it’s important to see your doctor as it may be a sign of something more serious, such as pre-eclampsia. A pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia usually has high blood pressure and problems with her kidneys. Pre-eclampsia could also seriously affect a woman’s liver, blood and brain. Any pregnant woman can experience pre-eclampsia â almost 1 in 20 Australian women will develop it.
Because pre-eclampsia is dangerous for both you and your baby, you should let your doctor know if your heartburn medicine is not working. This is especially important if you’re also feeling very unwell or you have:
- sudden swelling of your hands, feet or face
- a headache that doesn’t go away with simple painkillers
- problems with your eyesight such as blurring or seeing flashing lights or dots
- a strong pain below your ribs
Find out more about how pre-eclampsia is treated here.
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