Pregnancy is a magical, exciting time of life, but it is also one wrought with plenty of anxiety and uncomfortable symptoms. One of the symptoms that many women may have to deal with throughout the nine months is heartburn. Even women who have never experienced heartburn before may learn to recognize the familiar burning that begins just above the breastbone and moves upward toward the throat. There are a couple of different reasons why heartburn hits many during this time of life. Fortunately, there are also a number of options in pregnancy heartburn treatment that can help keep those painful heartburn symptoms under control.
Why You might need Pregnancy Heartburn Treatment
There are two potential causes for heartburn during pregnancy; the changing hormone levels and the physical changes that occur during these nine months. Hormones that increase during pregnancy can cause the muscle at the base of the esophagus to relax so that digestive acids can move back up the digestive track more freely. The expanding belly can also put pressure on this muscle and on the stomach, pushing those acids back up into the esophagus and throat. No matter why your heartburn is occurring there are choices in pregnancy heartburn treatment that can effectively bring heartburn relief.
Lifestyle Changes
Part of pregnancy heartburn treatment will be about the choices you make in terms of the food you eat and the way you eat them. Most pregnant women find that avoiding the foods that have been identified as heartburn triggers will help to keep painful symptoms at bay. Some common culprits include chocolate, caffeinated beverages, tomato-based products like spaghetti sauce and citrus fruits and juices. Eating smaller meals more frequently can prevent heartburn symptoms since the stomach will never get too full and put pressure on the esophagus. It is also a good idea to avoid lying down right after meals, since the horizontal position makes it easier for acids to creep back up the digestive system. However, if these methods of pregnancy heartburn treatment are not effective, there are other options available.
Medication
Sometimes the best treatment for heartburn during pregnancy is to keep a roll of antacids on hand to nip those painful symptoms in the bud. The best antacids to use as a pregnancy heartburn treatment will be made up of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Talk to your doctor before taking any antacids containing aluminum, aspirin or high amounts of sodium, since these may not be the safest choice during those nine months. If antacids do not provide an effective pregnancy heartburn treatment, your doctor may be able to recommend other medications that will reduce the amount of acid produced by your stomach. While many of these medications are sold over the counter, it is best to check with your doctor before taking them.
Heartburn during pregnancy is a common problem, but there are solutions. The right pregnancy heartburn treatment can keep painful burning at bay so you can enjoy those special nine months to the fullest.
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