- Main symptoms
- How the treatment is done
- 1. Diet changes
- 2. Lifestyle changes
- 3. Most used remedies
- Natural treatment options
Reflux in pregnancy is mainly characterized by the symptom of heartburn, which starts at any time during pregnancy and worsens with the increase in the size of the baby. This problem appears due to hormonal changes that slow the intestinal flow and due to the growth of the fetus, which compresses the stomach and forces the food upwards, causing reflux.
Treatment to end reflux in pregnancy includes making dietary changes, quitting smoking, avoiding bedtime right after meals, taking medications and drinking some permitted teas, such as ginger and chamomile tea.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of reflux in pregnancy are the same as the disease causes in all people, such as:
- Heartburn and burning; Sensation of food coming and going up the stomach; Nausea and vomiting; Frequent belching; Swelling in the belly.
These symptoms tend to become stronger and more frequent after the 27th week of pregnancy, and women who have had this problem before or who have been pregnant are more likely to develop reflux.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for reflux during pregnancy mainly includes changes in diet and lifestyle, however, the use of medications may also be indicated:
1. Diet changes
Dietary changes include consuming only small amounts of food at each meal, increasing the number of meals per day to maintain adequate calorie intake.
In addition, one should avoid the consumption of chocolate, mint, coffee, pepper and acidic foods such as orange and pineapple, as they relax the esophagus muscle, facilitating the return of food, and irritate the stomach, worsening the symptoms of the disease.
It is important to be aware of which foods cause symptoms to appear in order to remove them from the diet, as harmful foods vary according to each person's body. See more tips in Diet for reflux.
2. Lifestyle changes
In addition to taking care of the diet, it is also important to stop smoking and avoid going to bed right after meals, waiting at least 2 hours.
In cases of nocturnal reflux, the head of the bed should be raised 5 to 15 cm, as this inclination helps to prevent food from returning from the stomach.
3. Most used remedies
Some medicines based on magnesium or calcium can be used during pregnancy to combat reflux symptoms, such as the Magnesia Bisurada lozenges, Milk of magnesia or Mylanta plus.
However, it is important to remember that every medication must be taken according to medical advice. In addition, pregnant women should avoid using sodium bicarbonate drugs, as they increase fluid retention.
Natural treatment options
To treat reflux naturally, alternatives such as acupuncture and aromatherapy can be used, which uses essential oils of lemon and orange to massage the chest and back or to exhale vapors into the environment.
Another alternative is to consume peppermint, chamomile, ginger and dandelion teas, remembering that dandelion is contraindicated in cases of diabetes, as it interferes with medication. See the full list of teas that are prohibited during pregnancy.
The following video provides tips on diet to fight reflux, but it is important to remember that during pregnancy it is not recommended to lose weight.
If in addition to reflux you also have gastritis, see how to treat this problem here.
