Burning For Two - Acid Reflux And Indigestion While Pregnant

If you sit and talk to any group of pregnant women anywhere in the world about the various discomforts they must endure during pregnancy they will all likely agree on one that is worst than most. What is it? Acid reflux. Many years ago there was an old wives tale that women who suffered from heartburn would give birth to a child with a full head of hair. This, of course, is purely mythical. That aside acid reflux is still a hugely annoying thing to have to endure while you are pregnant.

Reasons For Acid Reflux In Pregnant Women There are several reasons why pregnant women are more likely to experience heartburn:

1. Hormone levels in a pregnant woman are far higher than a woman who is not pregnant. This dramatic increase in hormone levels can have a huge effect on every aspect of your body and especially your digestive system. The most common effect is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can loosen up a bit. This is a type of valve which typically holds the food in your stomach. If this valve is loose then acid can flow back upwards into your gullet (esophagus). You will then experience heartburn to a varying degree.

2. During pregnancy your body will change shape. This normally does not happen until later in pregnancy. When these changes do happen your stomach area will keep expanding and this expansion is what can lead to acid reflux. Your stomach enlarging in this way puts far more pressure on the esophagus which can then lead to indigestion and acid reflux in general.

Is There Anything You Can Do?

There is always something you can do to help yourself! Firstly watch what you eat. Citrus foods, mint, spicy foods, fried foods, and chocolate should all be avoided as much as possible.

Eat smaller meals too.

This will help a lot if you experience a lot of morning (and daytime, evening and nighttime) sickness too. If you eat several small meals throughout the day you are far less likely to experience heartburn. Your body will be able to process those small meals far easier than 2 or 3 large ones.

Correct Your Posture

Believe it or not practicing correct posture can help an awful lot with acid reflux. Be especially careful of how you bend. While pregnant you should always bend down at the knees - although later you will have no choice but to do so as your stomach expands. However earlier on in your pregnancy bending down at the knees will put far less pressure on your stomach and therefore your esophagus. This can and will help you with the discomforts of indigestion.

You can fight back against acid reflux during your pregnancy. You simply have to choose to. Do not suffer in silence however and do not ever be afraid to consult with your doctor for medication if the heartburn becomes too painful to bear.

Helping others drives Jill Seimer with a passion but writing on healthy living at RefluxLife.com she recently published personal experiences on Acid Reflux in Children and dealing with infant acid reflux.

Burning Up the House - 5 Foods to Avoid When Suffering with Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux is a condition of the digestive system otherwise known as heartburn. That is a given. When you look at the causes of acid reflux one of them comes to the front each and every time - diet. You are what you eat and modern man and woman lives on an entirely unhealthy diet. We eat what we can when we can and never pay attention to what we actually eat or the potential harm these foods may cause.

Fast-food Is NOT Healthy Food Most of you run around all day and only every stop to stuff some kind of snack down your throat before you rush back to work. Fast-food is not good for you. In fact it is normally incredibly bad for you. "Supersize Me" the movie proves just how unhealthy fast-food is for all human beings. If you have not seen this movie then make it a priority - it truly is eye-opening. Most fast-food can severely interfere with your digestive system and be a direct cause of acid reflux. Personally speaking I avoid fast food as much as possible because it just makes me feel lethargic and gives me wind. Sad but very true.

Foods To Avoid So what foods do you need to avoid?

There are 5 basic types of foods that you may need to reduce or remove entirely from your diet - depending on how much acid reflux they actually cause in your body. This will vary from one person to the next but you can still use this list as a basis for what is good and bad for you.

Fast Foods

As we have already discussed fast-food is not good for you. Worse still it can be a direct cause for acid reflux especially if you eat any of the following: French fries, burgers and fried chicken. If you have no choice other than to eat at a fast food joint then look for a grilled option on their menu. At least then you are not eating several grams of pure fat and won't then wind up chewing antacids for the night.

Fruits And Vegetables

The vast majority of people assume that all fruits and vegetables are good for you no matter what. While this is true for most of the general population it's not true at all for acid reflux sufferers. Both potatoes and onions have been proven to bring about an attack of heartburn. Not only those but you also need to avoid tomatoes, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and cranberries as they have the highest acid content of all fruits. If you have not already discussed your diet and acid reflux with your doctor then now is the time to start. You will be surprised at just how many of your current favorite foods are helping cause you pain.

Watch Your Dairy Intake

Have you ever grabbed a glass of milk for indigestion or heartburn? Of course you have and you are not alone. Drinking milk will help but it's a short term solution. Why? Because the body will simply produce more stomach acid to replace the acid that the milk has neutralized. Milk is not the only culprit however. There are plenty of other dairy products that can cause damage to your digestive system. Cottage cheese, sour cream and ice cream are dairy foods that you really need to avoid if you want to control your acid reflux.

What Not To Drink

Alcohol needs to be avoided or consumed in total moderation if you suffer from acid reflux. Liquor/spirits and wine are major hazards and can start a violent attack of heartburn. Tea and coffee are also known to trigger acid reflux in those that may suffer from it.

Yummy Desserts?

We all have a sweet tooth to a certain extent and most of us enjoy desserts. There is some bad news here however. Desserts are one of the biggest causes of acid reflux. How can something that tastes so nice cause so much pain? Anything with high chocolate or butter content needs to be avoided like the plague.

Hopefully now you have a better idea of what foods you need to avoid to prevent attacks of heartburn. No doubt you were as surprised as I was to see just how those favorite tasty foods can cause you so much grief.

With a fervor for helping people Jill Seimer shares healthy lifestyle tips at RefluxLife.com She recently published Natural healing of Heartburn with her views on natural cures for acid reflux.

Acid Reflux and Heartburn - Are You Suffering?

William McRand Sr

Does your morning coffee cause you pain? Are you frustrated when a night out dining with friends ends in discomfort instead of relaxed conversation? Do you carry antacids with you every day?

Heartburn is more than just a nuisance. It can detract from enjoying a meal, force you to change your routine and hang over your every decision - what to eat, what to drink, when to lay down. What is this monkey on your back and how can you find relief?

WHAT CAUSES HEARTBURN? Heartburn occurs when the acid content of the stomach makes its way back into the esophagus. A burning sensation and even a bitter taste are experienced by heartburn sufferers.

If you are suffering more than twice a week you may have acid reflux disease-also known as GERD. Why is this important? Not all heartburn is caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Occasional heartburn can be caused by a variety of factors but if you have regular episodes there are things you can do to help.

WHAT CAN I DO? If you have regular heartburn the first thing you should do is stay away from regular use of antacids. Antacids can relieve the pain of occasional heartburn, but because they are designed to neutralize the acids in your stomach they can cause the stomach to create MORE acid - a cycle called 'acid rebound'. Some medications can also cause diarrhea or constipation or even increase the risk of food poisoning by inhibiting the growth of good bacteria.

Watch out for trigger foods such as caffeine, alcohol, citrus, chocolate, minty, spicy or tomato-based foods as well as fatty or fried foods, onions or garlic.

Being overweight or smoking also increases the risk of GERD and lifestyle changes may help to control the symptoms. Activities such as lying down after a meal, bending forward, lifting heavy items or eating large meals can bring acid reflux on. Avoiding these activities after a meal, eating smaller portions and raising the head of your bed several inches may help. Some natural products such as orange peel extract are being researched for their abilities to curb heartburn.

WHO IS AT RISK? Anyone. But it should be noted that pregnant women, children, overweight individuals and smokers are all likely candidates. Young babies have immature digestive systems. National Digestive Diseases (NDDIC) says that most children outgrow GERD by the time they are one year old. However, because the symptoms are painful precautions like frequent burping and keeping the infant upright for 30 minutes after eating can reduce the occurrence.

Older children may have to take similar precautions in diet and activity as adults. You should always consult your doctor when you suspect GERD to avoid future complications. Being overweight or pregnant increases the pressure in the abdomen. 25% of pregnant women experience heartburn at some time during their pregnancy . If you suspect GERD it is important to contact your doctor as there can be harmful side effects of persistent heartburn including scaring of the esophagus, asthma, erosion of the teeth and even increased risk of esophageal cancer. Frequent, persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other serious conditions and should be checked on by a professional.

Cure Your Heart Burn

William Lagadyn, is the author and researcher of the popular publication, "Cure Your Heartburn" Click

Natural Medicine For Acid Reflux

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in the more nutritious foods we should be eating. We have run so fast and hard after the harmful fast foods that relief from reflux literally stares us in the face daily.

Acid reflux disease has a stranglehold on millions of people. It is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

At the very top of your stomach is a muscle. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter. Basically it has two main tasks. First, it opens to allow your food to enter your stomach.

Second, it closes to prevent the powerful acid in your stomach from backing up into your esophagus. With GERD sufferers, the lower esophageal sphincter goes a bit haywire and opens when it shouldn?t.

When this happens the powerful stomach gases reflux, or backup into the esophagus. Leaving a painful burning feeling in your chest just behind the breastbone and a burning sensation in your throat.

The acid can then easily be regurgitated into your lungs. Causing you to cough or wheeze or to suffer with hoarseness. Many people use Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid for their GERD. The problem with taking these and other prescription drugs is side effects.

The best natural medicine for acid reflux disease is Acidgone. It is a completely natural medicine that leaves you with absolutely no side effects.

The active ingredients in Acidgone are Alfalfa Leaf. It has traditionally been used to reverse digestive problems. Apple Pectin sweeps the intestines clean. Aloe Vera is well-known for its healing properties.

Burdock Root a blood-purifier and Dandelion Root, promotes regularity in digestion. Several other soothing and healing ingredients are also added. These harmless ingredients combine to make a potent mixture that effectively tackles Acid Reflux Disease.

For those who suffer with GERD these few common sense natural remedies can provide some relief immediately.

? Drink a large glass of water. This helps to wash back and dilute those powerful stomach acids.
? Put an unpeeled potato into your juicer and drink the potato juice.
? Don?t lie down. Help gravity to keep those acids in their place.
? Keep the belt around your waist really loose.
? Chew your food well, eat slowly.
? Eat more raw vegetables.

In conclusion, don?t bend over or pick up heavy objects. Don?t compress your stomach. This forces the acid back up. Don?t prop those extra pillows under your head, they still compress your stomach. Eat 2-3 hours before you go to bed.

Stay away from soft drinks, hard drinks and milk. Greasy fried foods and also dairy products. They?re all harmful.

Natural medicine for acid reflux can be found in our cabinets. Acidgone is a very effective natural remedy for GERD. It will relieve the heartburn and the uncomfortable feelings that come with GERD. Grab your Acidgone here! http://www.wyclefinnovations.com/ag

Acid Reflux From Birth To The Grave?

My poor little mother....how horrifying it must have been to have her first born child reject her own mother's milk. She had dreamed about having her first baby since she was a small girl. It would be such a wonderfully nourishing experience to hold her new born child while suckling her breast. What normal mother has not enjoyed these fantasies about child birth? She was so young and delicate and naive.

I had been a most difficult birth. She, of course, had wanted to deliver me in the most natural way, but the doctors had to resort to cesarean section. She was in a much weakened condition when we left the hospital.

The very first time that she breast fed me, I screamed with great pain, pursed my little red face and spewed sour milk all over the room, rejecting that precious natural gift of love. She tried over and over again to feed me. I was an eight pound baby boy and was ravenously hungry. She was all alone and desperately afraid for my well being. WW2 was just ending and my father, who was in the Coast Guard, was stationed five hundred miles away, in Florida.

Lucky for both of us, my great uncle Everett was a pediatrician. He knew exactly what to do. He instructed my mother how to correctly prepare Cream of Wheat for a new born child. It had to be cooked in a double boiler for at least two hours in order for it to be soft enough for an infant to digest. My mother said that when she fed me that Cream of Wheat, I smiled for the very first time.

I did grow out of my acid reflux condition. By the age of two, I had no symptoms at all. In fact, I was gerd free for more than thirty years. But something changed and I started gradually suffering from indigestion again. It happened to me after a particularly stressful period in my life. I had become an accomplished cook and consequently I was eating food that was far too rich with fat. I had also become somewhat of a wine aficionado, as well. The combination of the stress, food and wine simply did me in.

At first, I would drink baking soda dissolved in water and try to regurgitate, when heartburn became overwhelming. After resorting to this too many times, I realized that I had developed a hiatal hernia. This, of course, compounded the situation. My doctor scolded me and prescribed antacids. Little did I know at the time that antacids contain more aluminum than even baking soda.

I then graduated to proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPI). My doctor prescribed Prilosec. It was truly incredible. I could eat anything that I wanted and never have indigestion. It was a cook's dream come true! I was the American Dream personified - a person who could abuse their body and never feel the pain or inconvenience of doing so.

Everything was going along just hunky dory until one night, after a particularly huge French dinner in New York City; I had an atrocious case of acid reflux. I was abruptly awakened from a deep slumber by the acute pain of acid regurgitating from my mouth onto the bed linens. I was horrified. I was three days old again and in pain. This couldn't be happening to me!

I went back to the doctor and he told me to double the dosage. After two months of this, I became increasingly worse. I realized that the PPI drug was not working anymore. I did some research and found out that you are only supposed to take these drugs for eight weeks at the most. I had been taking them for years with my doctor's approval. After further investigation I found that there are hundreds of potentially harmful side effects associated with PPI drugs.

I was very confused as to what to do. My doctor said that surgery was the only answer, at this point. He also advised me that this surgery was not always effective and was very dangerous. The procedure is called fundoplication, which entails removing the damaged part of the esophagus and attaching the remaining section to the stomach.

That did it. I was now determined to find a natural way to beat this terrible condition. It wasn't easy, but after a great deal of research and experimentation, I did cure myself. I talked to everyone I could find who knew anything about the subject. I read hundreds of books and articles. I scoured the internet for new breaking information. I tried every method I could find; herbs, tonics, special foods, plant extracts, exercises, Chinese formulas, yoga, and meditation - you name it and I tried it!

I finally found the correct combination of items and methods. They were all safe and natural. I was astounded to discover how easy it really was to actually cure acid reflux. Herbs like marshmallow and slippery elm not only have a soothing affect on the throat and esophagus, but aid in the healing process. Certain meditations actually can alter the PH factor of the body. Plants like ginger and licorice can reduce the acid in your stomach, naturally. The list goes on and on. I now live a normal life with healthy eating habits and I don't depend on harmful drugs.

So, you see, I will not carry acid reflux to the grave. Had I listened to my doctor, I would probably already be there. I would encourage anyone not to resort to drug therapy or surgery, but to explore the natural possibilities that can be used to cure the acid reflux condition.

For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means and has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies. For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com

GERD - The Acid Reflux Disease

The term GERD is a acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a very glorified term for heartburn. Frequent, persistent heartburn is the primary symptom associated with acid reflux disease or GERD. With GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube leading from the throat to the stomach. If you suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Though heartburn is the most common of the acid reflux disease symptoms, other signs may also manifest themselves.

For these individuals, acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may be at the heart of their burn. Prevacid is a prescription drug that helps GERD-sufferers prevent the acid that causes heartburn pain associated with acid reflux disease.

Pain

Besides the discomfort of heartburn, reflux results in symptoms of oesophageal inflammation, such as odynophagia (pain on swallowing) and dysphagia (difficult swallowing). Remarkably, the frequency of severe heartburn seems to decline with age, possibly due to a decrease in esophageal pain perception and atrophic gastritis. Although elderly patients may have fewer complaints of heartburn, their disease is usually more severe and has more complications. The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating; and, can include very unpleasant symptoms, such as heartburn, chest pain, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, throat irritation and bad breath. However, some people with GERD may not experience heartburn, but instead feel a pain in the chest, hoarseness, or problems swallowing. The feeling of heartburn my be similar to heart pain, but in actuality a heartburn has nothing whatsoever to do with the heart. Never assume that chest pain is heartburn or ingestion. GERD Symptoms Heartburn is described as a burning pain in the stomach that rises up towards the chest or towards the neck. A positive Bernstein test is considered if the patient experiences heartburn or chest pain. The acid perfusion test may have its utility more in explaining reflux as the cause of atypical chest pain. Potentially dangerous confusion can arise when someone neglects their heart pain believing it to be heartburn.

Gerd

Only 2 to 3 percent of acid reflux events reach the conscious level and are perceived by patients with GERD. Abnormalities that make it dysfunctional promote acid reflux and the constellation of GERD problems. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD. Most cases of acid reflux respond to lifestyle changes and prescription medication. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD.

Susanne Garris is a stay at home mom. But that doesn't mean she isn't at work. Susanne works as a research assistant and freelance writer on a variety of subjects. Her private research is devoted to blogs you can find at: http://www.acid-reflux-disease-diet.blogspot.com

What Causes Acid Reflux?

Though the root causes are often unclear, perhaps the most prevalent acid reflux cause is a poor diet. Acid reflux occurs during digestion, when the stomach churns up acid or refluxes it into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat.

Though the root causes are often unclear, perhaps the most prevalent acid reflux cause is a poor diet. Acid reflux occurs during digestion, when the stomach churns up acid or refluxes it into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat.

So if you eat too many highly acidic foods like tomato sauces and/or fatty, fried foods, the stomach has to process an overabundance of acid. Too much acid can push back through a valve between the stomach and the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Acid reflux culprits include but are not limited to tomato based sauces, fried and fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits, peppers, and caffeinated beverages.

Along the same lines as diet, overeating also causes reflux. When you overeat, the stomach cant keep up with the demand to process all the acids. So food gets backed up, and digestive acids infiltrate the esophageal valve to cause that unpleasant burning feeling centered in the chest.

Also diet-related, another acid reflux cause is being overweight. There is a clear correlation between being overweight and a notable increase in the occurrence of acid reflux. Many believe this is because the extra weight puts more pressure on the stomach and esophagus. This pressure has been known to open the lower esophageal sphincter (esophagus valve), when the valve should be closed. This allows acid to escape into the esophagus.

Other factors that create a predisposition for acid reflux include smoking, use of alcohol, food allergies, certain medications, and lying down after meals. As you can tell, most of these factors can be overcome by practicing some behavioral modifications. In fact, in many cases of recurrent acid reflux, lifestyle changes are all that is necessary in preventing heartburn from becoming a chronic disease. Remember to consult a physician before embarking on any treatment strategy.

Acid Reflux provides comprehensive information on the cause, symptoms, treatment, and diet associated with normal and infant acid reflux. For more information go to Acid Reflux and/or visit its sister site at Pain Relief Web for related information.