Even if you have never suffered from heartburn before, then during pregnancy you have every chance to get acquainted with it. The phenomenon is so unpleasant and common among pregnant women that it is considered one of the most terrible and annoying companions of bearing a child.
There is an opinion that the culprit of heartburn during pregnancy is the baby, or rather his nails and hairline. However, doctors believe that this is unlikely. Digestive "fire" has a physiological nature and is quite understandable. Accordingly, the methods of dealing with heartburn become obvious.
What causes heartburn during pregnancy?
Heartburn (or acid dyspepsia) is a burning sensation and pain behind the breastbone and in the epigastric region. Most often this is due to the release of gastric juice into the esophagus, as a result of which the sensitive mucous membrane is irritated and this unpleasant feeling of heat occurs.
The release of this very acid is provoked by squeezing the internal organs. That is why people often feel heartburn after active bending over or pumping the press, as well as with a lot of weight. During pregnancy, the growing fetus presses on the organs, which is aggravated with an increase in the term. That is why heartburn most often torments women starting from the second trimester, and in the early stages they, as a rule, do not experience such “happiness” (although there are such cases).
Of course, the esophagus is protected from the effects of stomach acid by a kind of sphincter valve, so not everyone suffers from heartburn. But under the influence of the "pregnant" hormone progesterone, muscle tone, as we know, is relaxed, including the muscles of the esophagus. And this muscle valve-clamp in such a relaxed state allows stomach acid to pour into the esophagus. The tight closure of the sphincter is also prevented by an increase in the uterus and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (approximately to).
High levels of hormones during pregnancy also affect the time it takes for the body to complete digestion. The muscle contractions that help food pass through the esophagus are slowed down as a side effect of hormonal secretion. As a result, the digestive process and the breakdown of food take longer, leading to indigestion and heartburn.
As a rule, heartburn begins shortly after eating (especially after eating a lot of fatty, fried and spicy foods) and can last from several minutes to several hours at a time. But everything is very individual. Many pregnant women note that they experience heartburn all the time, even if they don’t eat or drink anything. And often heartburn begins to get the expectant mother in the supine position, so you have to sleep, almost sitting.
How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy?
Painful heartburn during pregnancy can be treated with medications commonly referred to as non-absorbable antacids. They neutralize and absorb hydrochloric acid from the stomach, envelop its walls and relieve heartburn in 1-2 minutes without being absorbed into the blood.
Non-absorbable antacids include preparations containing calcium, aluminum and magnesium. It can be such modern drugs as Maalox, Talcid. However, along with hydrochloric acid, these drugs also absorb other substances. Therefore, it is not worth combining them with taking other drugs.
Many antacids can cause constipation. However, most modern drugs are devoid of this side effect. Among these are Rennie tablets. In addition to calcium carbonate, they contain magnesium carbonate, and magnesium has a laxative effect, and also promotes the formation of mucus in the stomach and increases the resistance of its mucosa to the damaging effect of hydrochloric acid. Rennie also helps to eliminate other unpleasant symptoms that often accompany heartburn - nausea, belching, flatulence. But in view of the fact that magnesium is able to influence the development of the fetus, world gynecologists still recommend abandoning such drugs.
Separately, mention should be made of preparations containing bismuth nitrate, like Vikalin. Information about the possible adverse effects of bismuth on the child is not enough. Therefore, such drugs should be avoided during pregnancy.
As in any other case, the drug should be carried out exclusively as directed by a doctor. He will prescribe the correct dosage for you.
Of course, you don’t want to take even such harmless pills during the period of bearing a child. Many mothers are saved by a proven method: baking soda. However, this is highly undesirable. Firstly, when interacting with gastric juice, soda forms carbonic acid, which has a pronounced juice effect: an additional portion of hydrochloric acid is released, and soon the burning sensation resumes with renewed vigor. Secondly, soda, being easily absorbed into the bloodstream, causes a dangerous acid-base imbalance, which increases swelling, which is already common in the second half of pregnancy.
If heartburn does not give you life, and oh how you don’t want to take medicines, try resorting to traditional medicine. Here are some recipes for dealing with heartburn:
- 15 g of common heather pour 0.5 liters of water, boil for 2-3 minutes, insist and drink half a glass 3-4 times a day, 1 tablespoon.
- 10 g of centaury herb per 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours, strain and take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals.
- Prolonged heartburn stops if taken 3-4 times a day, 1/3 teaspoon of powder from calamus rhizomes.
But before resorting to herbal remedies, you still need to consult a doctor.
It is important to understand that heartburn does not affect the condition and development of the fetus in any way. But to endure burning is not very useful and is simply unrealistic. If you can do without drugs, then, of course, it is better to abstain. Otherwise, you can try the so-called improvised remedies to combat heartburn (maybe one of them will work for you): seeds, milk, almonds, fresh cucumber or carrots, mineral water, regular chewing gum.
How to prevent heartburn during pregnancy?
- Try not to take antispasmodics, as they relax the esophageal sphincter and thus contribute to heartburn. Some herbs have the same effect, for example,
- Extra weight gained during pregnancy increases the risk of heartburn. So don't overeat.
- Eat fractionally: 5-6 times a day at intervals of 1.5-2 hours and in small portions.
- Eat slowly, chewing thoroughly.
- Include in the diet foods that provoke an alkaline reaction: milk, cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, steam omelettes, lean boiled meat and fish, butter and vegetable oil, white dried (preferably yesterday's) bread.
- Eat dishes and side dishes from vegetables in boiled or mashed form. Better bake fruit.
- Be sure to include boiled beets and steamed prunes in your diet to prevent constipation, since any straining leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and, accordingly, the reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus.
- Refrain from fatty fried treats, smoked meats, hot spices and sauces, sour fruit juices and compotes, vegetables containing coarse fiber (white cabbage, radish, radish, onion, garlic), hard-to-digest mushrooms, nuts, black bread, chocolate, carbonated and fizzy drinks, black tea and coffee, mustard, vinegar, tomatoes, oranges.
- Eliminate refractory animal fats (lamb, goose).
- Alcohol and smoking, which increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn, should be completely avoided.
- Make dinner light, without meat dishes, and do not eat any more for 3-4 hours until bedtime.
- After each meal, stand or sit for 15-20 minutes, but do not lie down - then the food will leave the stomach faster.
- Avoid positions and exercises that contribute to heartburn: deep forward torso, abdominal tension.
- Stooping, bad posture increases pressure on the stomach, which, in turn, leads to heartburn: this is why you should always sit straight.
- Try to keep your spine straight while walking or standing to avoid heartburn.
- If there are no contraindications, sleep with the head end of the bed raised or use "high" pillows.
- If heartburn worsens in a horizontal position, when turning from one side to the other, stand up and calmly walk around the room for a while, drink cool still water or eat unsweetened cookies (preferably biscuits).
- Pay attention to clothing: it should not be squeezing.
- Adequate fluid intake is required daily, but only between meals, not with meals.
When does nothing help?
If you have tried literally everything in the world, neither medicines nor all the remedies for heartburn known to you, taken together, will save you, you should tell your doctor about this. Perhaps you have no other choice but to wait for childbirth: they will naturally solve the problem. But heartburn can be a symptom of diseases of the digestive system or liver, which also happens during pregnancy. Therefore, of course, you should not worry, but you need to play it safe. Consulting a gastroenterologist will not harm you.
According to statistics, about 75% of women suffer from heartburn during pregnancy. First of all, the mucous membrane of the esophagus suffers from heartburn, because the contents of the stomach enter it along with the acid, which is involved in the digestion of food. Gastric juice, getting on the mucous membrane of the esophagus, causes heartburn. At this point, the pregnant woman experiences discomfort in the stomach. A burning sensation begins in the throat, and a sour taste appears in the mouth. Most often, these unpleasant symptoms appear immediately after eating. And if in the first half of pregnancy heartburn is not too annoying, then in the second half it can last throughout the day.
Why there is heartburn in pregnant women: causes of heartburn in the early and late stages
Hormonal changes in the body are the main cause of heartburn in pregnant women.
The main reason for the appearance of an unpleasant ailment in the form of heartburn is the hormonal changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman. At the beginning of pregnancy in women, the amount of the hormone progesterone increases significantly. This hormone is responsible for the relaxation of smooth muscles. Due to the fact that the muscles relax, the excitability of the uterus decreases, which is necessary for the smooth development of the fetus. Alas, this hormone relaxes muscles and other organs. These include the sphincter (valve) that separates the stomach and esophagus. Due to the action of the hormone, the valve relaxes and food is partially ejected from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. The larger the uterus becomes, the more stomach contents enter the esophagus. Among other things, progesterone provokes an increase in the acidity of gastric juice. The burning sensation intensifies.
Many pregnant women, especially in the last trimester, suffer from heartburn. However, we hasten to reassure expectant mothers, heartburn does not affect the physiological development of the fetus. As a rule, heartburn recedes or becomes significantly weaker at the 9th month of pregnancy. After childbirth, most women completely get rid of this unpleasant ailment.
Causes of heartburn in pregnant women in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester
| Gestational age | Causes of heartburn |
| 1 trimester | In the early stages, natural causes of heartburn become hormonal changes
, or rather the effect of progesterone on muscle tone. Due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal valve, the acidic environment of the stomach enters the esophagus. The digestive process itself is slowed down, and food is difficult to digest. In the first trimester, burning appears immediately after eating. Most often, expectant mothers begin to complain of heartburn at the 13th week of pregnancy. Heartburn during this period can occur even on an empty stomach. Therefore, you should not skip meals. Heartburn attacks are aggravated by lying down, in this trimester, doctors recommend putting an extra pillow under your head. |
| 2 trimester | The fetus grows in the second trimester there is a deformation of the stomach, due to the movement of organs upward. The uterus increases and shifts them, making room for itself. By this time, the sphincter is relaxed, more food is thrown into the esophagus, heartburn intensifies. At week 19, pregnant women often experience digestive problems. They feel heaviness, vomiting may occur. Heartburn is especially aggravated by sudden movements and inclinations, as well as by overeating. During this period, doctors recommend eating often, but in small portions. |
| 3rd trimester | The uterus continues to grow, while freeing up space for itself inside the abdominal cavity. The stomach is still under more pressure. Heartburn continues to torment expectant mothers. However, in the ninth month, the active production of the hormone decreases. The baby's head moves down and the stomach is under less pressure. Heartburn becomes less aggressive. After childbirth, most women forget about this unpleasant symptom for a long time, and sometimes forever. |
How to prevent heartburn in pregnant women: effective prevention measures
How to reduce the risk of heartburn during pregnancy?
- First of all, it is necessary during pregnancy strictly keep track of your weight. According to doctors, the risk of heartburn is directly dependent on an excessive set of extra pounds.
- Doctors recommend to all pregnant women stick to fractional meals. That is, it is advisable to eat five to six times a day, but in small portions.
- In the diet of the expectant mother, there must be foods that can cause an alkaline reaction. For more information on which products should be preferred, you can find in the table below.
- In the second and third trimesters, expectant mothers should take care of your posture and stop exercising . Especially from those that involve tilting and lifting heavy objects.
- During pregnancy do not wear tight clothing . There should not be any things that put pressure on the abdomen in the wardrobe of expectant mothers.
- Avoid all carbonated drinks .
- Drink fluids between meals .
- Eat slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly .
By following these simple rules, you can reduce heartburn attacks or avoid this disease altogether.
How to get rid of heartburn during pregnancy: pharmacy and folk methods
If heartburn still “got you” and you can neither eat nor sleep, then you cannot do without the help of a specialist. There are three ways to get rid of heartburn: drugs, homeopathic remedies and folk methods.
Treatment of heartburn with drugs
Most often, doctors prescribe to pregnant women drugs belonging to the group of “non-absorbable antacids”. Preparations of this group neutralize hydrochloric acid and, enveloping, protect the walls of the stomach. Heartburn completely disappears within a few minutes. We want to note that the drugs of this group are not absorbed into the blood. That is, they are absolutely safe for the fetus. This drug group includes: Maalox, Almagel, Rennie. These drugs also relieve such unpleasant symptoms as: flatulence (excessive gas), nausea, belching. The attending physician should prescribe drugs for heartburn to the expectant mother, you should not self-medicate.
homeopathic remedies
Before resorting to homeopathic remedies in the fight against heartburn, it is necessary to visit a homeopathic doctor. Most often, pregnant women are prescribed homeopathic preparations based on pulsatilla plant extract . Expectant mothers suffering from sour belching are usually prescribed Causticum.
Folk remedies for heartburn
Can pregnant women use baking soda for heartburn?
As practice shows, most people suffering from heartburn resort to the simplest remedy - baking soda. Of course, soda is quite effective in relieving heartburn. But during pregnancy, this method of getting rid of heartburn is not acceptable. The thing is that soda is absorbed into the bloodstream and disrupts the acid-base balance in the body of a pregnant woman. After taking soda, after a short period of time, heartburn will return again and become even more intense, in addition, taking soda can lead to edema. Therefore, this method is excluded.
Many women get rid of heartburn help with sunflower seeds, chewing oats . By the way, chewing oats, you do not need to swallow it. Helps a lot milk . Drink it in small sips.
Herbal infusions for heartburn during pregnancy
In folk medicine, various herbal infusions are often used to get rid of heartburn. We will give only a few of the most popular folk recipes.
Recipe #1
It is necessary to mix one hundred grams of mint with one hundred grams of St. John's wort and sixty grams of centaury. Two st. spoons of the mixture must be poured with boiling water in an amount of 400 ml. Let stand 12-14 hours, then strain. Dosage - one hundred ml. in the morning on an empty stomach.
Recipe #2
Well relieves heartburn powder made from calamus rhizomes. Dosage - three times half a coffee spoon.
Recipe #3
In half a liter of boiling water, add 2 tbsp. l. heather. Keep on fire for five minutes. Strain the decoction. Dosage - three times 1 tbsp. l.
What can and cannot be eaten with heartburn for pregnant women: a list of allowed and prohibited foods and dishes
Diet for heartburn is considered one of the most effective methods of treating this disease. The table below will help expectant mothers find out which foods and dishes for heartburn can be included in their diet and which not. Also, when compiling a menu for pregnant women, we recommend that you take into account tips on
Animal fats replace with vegetable.
Eliminate from the diet dairy products and cut down on sweets , replacing them with sweet juices and fruits.
We hope that our tips will help you relieve discomfort or get rid of heartburn completely.
Quite often, while carrying a baby, a girl feels discomfort in the esophagus, which gradually develops into a strong burning sensation. In this way, heartburn is manifested, which occurs due to malfunctions in the digestive system.
These sensations are unpleasant, painful and cause concern for expectant mothers. What helps in this situation and how to deal with the problem at home?
Why heartburn occurs - possible causes
What causes the disease? The reasons for which the disease occurs are quite a lot and they depend on the trimester of pregnancy.
The main factors provoking the appearance of heartburn include:
- Hormonal background. After fertilization, hormonal changes occur in the body of a woman. Because of this, progesterone begins to be synthesized in an increased amount. Increased levels of the hormone relaxes smooth muscles, including the sphincter, which is located between the esophagus and stomach. This causes stomach discomfort. Slow muscle contraction prevents food from passing quickly through the esophagus, further aggravating the symptoms.
- High intra-abdominal pressure. When the fetus grows, pressure in the abdominal cavity rises, this may prevent the sphincter from performing its main functions. Such processes cause signs of illness during the bearing of the baby.
- Enlargement of the uterus. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the uterus expands, which increases the load on the stomach and diaphragm. The intestines increase in volume and a large amount of stomach acid is thrown into the esophagus. Increased acidity causes burning and pain.
The appearance of an ailment during the period of bearing a baby is a completely normal phenomenon that does not harm the expectant mother and fetus. But if the symptoms have become unbearable, you should contact your doctor and undergo an examination to identify pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
How does this condition affect pregnancy?
The appearance of discomfort due to an increase in the acidic environment in the woman's body does not harm the development of the child in the womb. But if the disease is acute, it can indirectly affect pregnancy. When a girl has heartburn, most often she prefers to get rid of it herself. To eliminate the problem, the expectant mother excludes fruits and vegetables from the diet.
This method of treatment can help to partially get rid of the disease, but for a pregnant woman this is a rather dangerous method. Refusing useful microelements and vitamins, a woman can cause significant harm to her body and baby. Deficiency of beneficial bacteria will lead to a delay in the growth of the embryo and provoke the development of complications in the future.
In addition, the discomfort caused by the disease prevents a woman from feeling well. The quality of sleep, the daily routine is deteriorating. The girl becomes more irritated and tense. As you know, negative emotions and bad mood have a bad effect on the unborn child.
Possible Complications
With a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, the walls of the esophagus are affected. This leads to stress and malfunctions in the work of various body systems.
This pathological condition can lead to the development of the following complications:
- Reflux esophagitis is a pathological condition of the esophagus. A prolonged manifestation of the pathology affects the deep tissues of the organ, causing the development of Barrett's disease.
- Barrett's disease- this is a pathology that occurs due to severe damage to the esophagus: the cells of the organ are deformed and reborn, such abnormal processes cause the formation of precancerous cells and can lead to serious consequences.
- Peptic ulcer disease. If the symptoms of heartburn do not go away for a long time and the pathology becomes acute, then the deep tissues of the gastrointestinal tract are damaged. This leads to ulcers that can cause severe internal bleeding. The disease is very dangerous for a woman's health, therefore, it requires a strict diet and immediate treatment.
Heartburn is not considered a particularly dangerous pathology for girls in position, if it is noticed and treated in time. But when the problem develops into a more acute form, then you should be alert and go to the doctor. The development of complications and diseases provoked by heartburn can not only harm the female body, but also negatively affect the development of the fetus.
According to doctors, in order to get rid of the signs of the disease, the following rules should be followed:
- exclude or reduce the use of fried, spicy foods - it is best to give preference to milk, vegetables, fruits and cereals;
- exclude coffee, carbonated drinks, sour berries and fruits, cheese products from the menu;
- eat 5-6 times a day in fractional portions;
- for dinner there are light meals;
- before taking any drugs, you should consult with a gynecologist and clarify whether they can be used during pregnancy;
- after eating, it is not recommended to lie down and bend over;
- clothing should not press, restrict movement and bring discomfort;
- it is best to sleep on your back, especially in the later stages of gestation;
- You can't be nervous or angry.
And also get rid of heartburn will help drugs that are allowed during the period of gestation and folk remedies. Before applying this or that method of treatment, it is necessary to contact your doctor and consult about the method of treatment.
What medicines to take so as not to harm the baby
How to treat an ailment during the bearing of a baby? If signs of heartburn appear, medications can be taken to relieve the symptoms. The composition of the tablets includes natural plant substances that can be taken in the early and late periods (38-39 weeks) of bearing a child. The active components of the preparations are not absorbed into the walls of blood vessels, but quickly and effectively break down hydrochloric acid and remove it from the body.
Permitted medicines during pregnancy for heartburn include:
- Phosphalugel;
- Almagel;
- Maalox;
- Rennie;
- Causticum;
- Pulsatilla;
- Gaviscon;
- Alugastr.
These are the safest medicines that will help relieve the symptoms of the disease and improve the girl's well-being. They can be drunk at any stage of pregnancy with the appearance of discomfort and burning in the intestines. Which drug is best for a woman is best to check with a gynecologist. He will prescribe the most suitable pills, and clarify their course of treatment and dosage.
Treatment at home
Quite often, pregnant women think that the disease can be cured with a solution of baking soda. Actually it is not. Yes, the remedy eliminates the signs of the disease, but only for a couple of minutes. After 1-2 hours, the woman's condition will become even worse and the girl will have a strong burp with an unpleasant odor. Soda irritates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, forming carbon dioxide in the intestines. Such processes worsen the functioning of the stomach and stop the removal of toxins from the body.
While carrying a baby, a girl can use the following safe means to relieve symptoms of the disease:
- Milk - a biologically active sorbent helps to relieve burning sensation, nausea and sore throat. To alleviate the symptoms of the disease, it is enough to drink one glass of milk;
- Egg shell - neutralizes the formation of hydrochloric acid. To relieve symptoms, you should eat 1-2 teaspoons of ground egg shells and drink a small amount of liquid;
- Walnuts are a useful nutrient that will help not only relieve stomach discomfort, but also nourish the body with microelements. Girls need them in the first weeks of gestation and before childbirth;
- Ground onion with sugar is a folk remedy that helps get rid of pain in the abdomen. In addition, it relieves sore throat and removes belching. To get rid of the disease, you need to eat one teaspoon of medicine;
- A decoction of mint, yarrow and St. John's wort - the medicine will help prevent indigestion and normalize stools. It is allowed to dilute the medicine with honey.
It does not matter at what time the disease occurred. In any case, it brings discomfort and excitement to a woman. Therefore, you should not endure the signs of the disease, but immediately begin treatment. In the early days of pregnancy, it is better to give preference to safer folk remedies. In the second and third trimester, you can already drink heartburn pills, since the fetus is already fully formed and the risks of complications are minimized.
In addition, one should not forget the fact that sometimes in the early stages of gestation, the girl does not suspect the development of the baby in the womb. During this period, nausea, belching, the appearance of warmth in the chest (most often appears before the delay) may occur. In this situation, it is best to give preference to diets and adjust your diet.
Disease prevention
To prevent the development of the disease and protect your body from possible complications, doctors recommend taking preventive measures. A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals will help prevent illness and strengthen the immune system. In addition, the girl needs to give up fatty, heavy, junk food, which can cause discomfort in the stomach.
As a preventive measure, the following rules should be followed:
- It is forbidden to abuse medicines belonging to the group of antispasmodics.
- You should stop drinking herbal teas that relax smooth muscles.
- Weight control. A girl in position must constantly monitor her weight, rapid weight gain can lead to heartburn.
- It is forbidden to move sharply and often be in a bent position.
- The wardrobe should contain only loose, comfortable clothes.
- It is necessary to increase the amount of fluid consumed per day. A woman should drink at least 2-2.5 liters of pure non-carbonated water per day.
By observing simple precautions, the girl will protect herself and the unborn baby from possible complications and improve her well-being.
What other causes of heartburn are there and how to deal with them will tell the video.
Conclusion
Heartburn during pregnancy is a normal phenomenon that manifests itself at different periods of bearing a baby. The causes of the disease are various external and internal factors that have a significant impact on the female body. You can get rid of the pathology in various ways of treatment, but before using them it is recommended to consult a doctor.
It is believed that in order to eliminate heartburn, it is enough to eat any product. Food will act as a sorbent that will absorb excess hydrochloric acid and gases. However, as practice shows, not everything is so simple. Quite often, the burning sensation behind the sternum subsides temporarily and returns with renewed vigor in just half an hour. So, is it worth trying to get rid of heartburn with carrots, for example?
What causes heartburn
To understand what needs to be done when heartburn occurs, you need to know the mechanism for the development of this process.
The main cause of burning is the action of gastric juice on the esophagus. Normally, the latter is separated from the digestive tract by a muscular sphincter. Heartburn occurs when the concentration of hydrochloric acid increases, the pressure rises due to mechanical compression. Discomfort occurs:
- after fatty, spicy or acidic foods;
- alcohol (especially carbonated);
- nervous stress;
- physical stress.
Heartburn is a frequent companion of women during pregnancy in the last months, which gives them a lot of inconvenience.
If for some reason it is impossible to take a special remedy for burning, an ordinary carrot will help.
The orange vegetable is known to everyone as a source of vitamin A, which is good for vision. But the healing properties of carrots do not end there. The root crop contains:
In addition, carrots contain natural mineral salts and essential oils, which stop inflammation and reduce the manifestation of pain. With heartburn and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, this is the main property of the vegetable. It helps to soothe the gastric mucosa, irritated due to the action of hydrochloric acid, and promotes rapid tissue regeneration.
Carrots have a dense structure, it requires a lot of energy and gastric juice to digest. Fiber perfectly absorbs not only hydrochloric acid and enzymes, but also all toxins, which are then excreted from the body. The removal of harmful substances has a beneficial effect on the functions of the liver and the entire circulatory system.
How to eat a vegetable
The benefits of carrots for the stomach are undeniable, but there are still some rules on how to eat this vegetable for heartburn. The root crop can be consumed in any form: eat raw, boil or squeeze juice out of it.
In order not to increase the burning sensation, it is recommended to eat carrots without harm to the digestive process only in a carefully chopped state. It is impossible to gnaw a whole vegetable, even chewed pieces can mechanically irritate the stomach, provoke its spasm and the release of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus and even the oral cavity.
The benefits of carrots in various states: 
- To eliminate heartburn, eating boiled carrots is considered the best way to consume them. The puree-like consistency contributes to the enveloping of the mucous membrane, in addition, fiber and essential oils are destroyed during the heat treatment, so the vegetable is absolutely safe for the stomach.
- Carrot juice retains all vitamins and useful essential oils, so it acts very gently on the stomach and neutralizes acid. In addition, this way of eating a vegetable saturates the body with vitamins and improves immunity. Juice is recommended to drink daily in the spring with beriberi and people suffering from anemia.
- Grated on a fine grater, carrots are often advised to be used for digestive problems. The product retains all its properties, and vegetable fibers and fiber help to avoid constipation. There is one restriction: grated carrots are forbidden to be eaten by people with peptic ulcers, as it can irritate erosion.
It turns out that you can’t just eat a whole carrot with a burning sensation behind the sternum. There are several dishes that eliminate heartburn and taste good:
- Salad. Grate one large carrot on a fine grater, add butter, sour cream or cream to it. Fat is essential for vitamin A to be produced in the body. You can not add sugar, it will increase the burning sensation.
- Squeeze the juice from two root crops, let it stand for a while and drink it in small sips. If desired, you can dilute it with purified or alkaline mineral water.
Ordinary carrots are an amazing product that you need to eat almost daily. Carrots are good for heartburn. Its regular use not only helps prevent heartburn and bowel problems, but also protects against serious diseases in early spring, when the body lacks vitamins.
Heartburn is a very unpleasant phenomenon that occurs in every third person. It can appear not only for the reason. Products that cause heartburn in one person do not pose a danger to another, since each organism is individual. To understand why it appeared, what foods cause heartburn, you need to reconsider your entire diet and lifestyle.
What it is?
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, in which the contents of the stomach, including acid, partially rise up into the esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning sensation in the chest. In this case, burning pain can give not only to the chest, but also to the thoracic spine.
Most people take this phenomenon for osteochondrosis, so they often treat the wrong thing. If acid reflux bothers you more than 2 times a week, then we are talking about such a disease as gastroesophageal reflux.
What causes heartburn?
Foods that cause heartburn and belching are not the only cause of this phenomenon. There are a number of factors that provoke this disease:
- malnutrition;
- frequent overeating;
- clothes that squeeze the stomach;
- non-compliance with a healthy lifestyle;
- increased acidity of the stomach;
- sensitive cells of the stomach;
- weight lifting;
- overeating before bed;
- obesity;
- taking medicines (such as Aspirin or Diclofenac);
- frequent stressful situations;
- pregnancy.
Naturally, pregnancy is not a disease, but it has been observed that foods that cause heartburn in pregnant women do not affect the acidity of the stomach in other people.
What foods can trigger heartburn?
To save yourself from unpleasant sensations in the epigastric region, you need to remove from the diet or limit food:
- Excessively acidic fruits are lemons, oranges, pineapples, that is, everything that contains a large amount of acid. With increased acidity of the stomach, it causes severe heartburn.
- Vegetables - white cabbage, radish, radish, some varieties of tomatoes. Such vegetables are digested quite hard, and with increased acidity they provoke heartburn.
- Alcohol is strictly contraindicated not only for pregnant women, but also for people with high stomach acidity. Alcohol stimulates the active production of gastric juice, thereby irritating the mucous membrane. Especially beer and red wine have this property.
- Dark chocolate, black coffee, chocolate desserts - these heartburn-inducing foods relax the esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to pass from the stomach into the esophagus.
- Fatty meat and fish - these products are heavy in themselves, the process of their digestion in the stomach takes a long time, such a load can provoke the release of stomach acid into the esophagus.
- Sausages and smoked meats - smoked sausage, sausages, smoked bacon, fatty and smoked cheese are foods that cause heartburn in most people, including pregnant women. If it is not possible to eliminate them from the diet completely, then at least their use should be limited.
- Spicy foods - such as horseradish, garlic, red peppers, spices and seasonings. To find out if they are the cause of heartburn, you should remove them from the diet completely, and then start adding them little by little, while observing how the body reacts to them.
In order to maintain health, you need to overcome yourself and give up some harmful gastronomic addictions.
Foods that do not cause heartburn
There are many foods that do not cause the discomfort associated with heartburn and are completely safe for most people:
- Kashi - you can boil them in water or with the addition of milk. To add richness to the taste, a little honey or pieces of fruit are added to the finished dish. Such a breakfast will energize you for the whole day and will not cause heartburn.
- Soups - it is better to cook them on a weak broth, best of all vegetable. Filling with rice, potatoes or vermicelli will increase the satiety and nutritional value of the dish without causing heartburn.
- Greens - what is lunch or dinner without parsley or dill? These products are well digested and have a positive effect on the digestion process.
- Vegetables - zucchini, beets, pumpkin, carrots, cucumbers do not cause heartburn, it is better to use them boiled, stewed or baked.
- Low-fat types of meat, poultry and fish - turkey, rabbit meat, chicken fillet, veal, beef, pollock, cod. They can be baked with vegetables, roasted or stewed.
- Dairy products - low-fat types of cottage cheese, milk, kefir, yogurt have a positive effect on the microflora of the stomach and do not cause heartburn.
- Eggs - soft-boiled or eaten in the form of an omelet, they will not harm the stomach.
- Drinks - green tea, rosehip broth, jelly do not irritate the gastric mucosa.
- Desserts - jelly, marshmallows, marmalade are allowed in small quantities.
What causes heartburn in pregnant women?
As mentioned above, many foods can cause heartburn. During the bearing of a child, especially in the third trimester, this unpleasant phenomenon becomes a frequent companion of the expectant mother. The thing is that the fetus begins to put pressure on the organs, as a result of which the contents of the stomach splash out into the esophagus. To protect yourself from this as much as possible, you need to understand which foods cause heartburn in pregnant women most often and what should be discarded:
- If before pregnancy a woman was a lover of spicy foods, now it is necessary to limit the use of such foods. Do not use spices, seasonings, hot sauces, as well as garlic, onions and horseradish.
- Refuse convenience foods, fast foods, fast food, as chips, french fries and hamburgers are cooked in a large amount of vegetable oil and are strong provocateurs of heartburn.
- Alcohol, tea, coffee, cocoa, carbonated drinks - all this causes heartburn, even red wine recommended by doctors can cause prolonged burning in the chest.
It is impossible to say with accuracy what exactly causes heartburn in a pregnant woman, therefore it is better to focus on tests, doctor's recommendations and body characteristics.
heartburn diet during pregnancy
When foods that cause you are identified, you should start to follow a non-strict diet. When a woman is in position, the tone of smooth muscles is significantly reduced, which significantly slows down the digestive processes. Therefore, you should abandon the products listed above, as well as:
In addition, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of high starch foods - potatoes, pasta, white bread, pastries. They can be replaced with first-class rye bread, buckwheat porridge, and for dessert it is better to treat yourself to marshmallows.
Products that relieve heartburn
There are a number of products that fight acid reflux, which is very important during pregnancy.
1. Hercules. This is not only a healthy breakfast, but also a remedy for heartburn.
2. Green salad. It normalizes acidity and improves digestion.
3. Bananas. Eating bananas has been found to soothe heartburn.
4. Ginger. Considered a spice, it has been shown to be able to reverse the effects of toxemia such as nausea and vomiting, relieve indigestion, and fight heartburn.
5. Melon. This product causes heartburn in some people, but most patients report a backlash.
6. Turkey. Reduces acidity, it can be consumed boiled or baked, the skin must be removed.
7. Celery. Serves not only as a source of vitamins, but also as a means to combat heartburn.
8. Fig. Any kind of rice, especially brown, remarkably lowers the acidity of the stomach.
9. Cauliflower, green beans, broccoli are great for the diet of people suffering from heartburn.
10. Parsley. Since ancient times, it has been used as a remedy for the treatment of the stomach.
When a person knows what causes heartburn, he can replace the products that provoke this trouble with safe ones.
How to prevent heartburn during pregnancy?
There are a number of rules, the observance of which is not burdensome, but nevertheless gives a good result:
- Drinks should not be washed down with food, liquid dilutes digestive enzymes, making the process of digesting food even slower. It is better to drink water, tea or rosehip broth between meals, half an hour before meals or 2 hours after it.
- After eating, you should not immediately go to bed, this can cause not only heartburn, but also vomiting. You need to sit for a while, do simple housework, and it is best to take a walk in the fresh air.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing as this will only increase acid reflux. Clothing should be loose, not restricting movement.
- Calcium antacids are safe for pregnant women and are good for heartburn.
By eliminating foods that cause heartburn from the diet, and adhering to these rules, you can protect yourself from unpleasant symptoms as much as possible.
1. Nutrition should be fractional - eat at least 5 times a day in small portions.
2. Foods should preferably be steamed, stewed, boiled or baked; fried foods have been proven to cause acid reflux.
3. The temperature regime of the dishes is very important, the food should not be too cold or hot.
4. It is necessary to monitor your weight, adjusting it if necessary, because excess weight is also a cause of heartburn.
5. Food must be chewed thoroughly, because it is well crushed, it will be easier to digest in the stomach.
6. You can not smoke after eating, nicotine causes the production of enzymes, which can cause heartburn.
You need to be very careful about your health, and getting rid of heartburn is quite feasible for everyone.