Acid reflux is more than just a minor stomach ache, as most people think, but a sign that something is amiss in your digestive system as a whole. Imagine the doorway between your oesophagus and stomach, which let food pass through to your stomach, begins to malfunction, thereby causing discomfort to you.
Acid reflux is not a condition to overlook, especially as an expectant mother, because it can grow from a minor to a chronic condition.
Here, we would take you through 10 natural remedies for acid reflux as well as how to prevent acid reflux.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition in which stomach acid flows backward into the oesophagus, causing discomfort, pain, and serious complications.
This happens especially when the ring of muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter) malfunctions, causing the acid to flow back into the esophagus.
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Acid reflux ranges from minor to chronic, which may require a surgery to fix.
Symptoms Of Acid Reflux
Symptoms of Acid reflux may vary, from minor to severe.
Minor symptoms include:
- Heart burn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Chest pain
- Bloating and gas
- Chest pain
- Sore throat
- Little difficulty breathing.
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Severe symptoms include:
- Vomiting blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe chest pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Black tarry stools
- Fever.
10 Natural Remedies For Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
1. Avoid trigger foods
Spicy foods, citrus, chocolates, tomatoes, e.t.c, are naturally acidic and can stimulate acid production in the stomach, inflame the esophagus, and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, thereby causing the flow of acid back into the esophagus.
Avoiding these foods can help reduce the load on the digestive system, thereby making digestion easy and reducing the symptoms of acid reflux.
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2. Stay hydrated
Water can help stimulate digestion, dilute the stomach acid, and aid in the removal of harmful toxins, which serve as a trigger for acid reflux. Water can also minimize acid reflux potency as well as its ability to irritate the esophagus.
3. Intake of probiotics
Probiotics like yoghurt, pickles, Kimchi, kefir, e.t.c, aid in the breaking down of foods, promote healthy gut microbiome, and as well reduce inflammation in the esophagus and throat.
They also strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, thereby preventing stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. They as well produce beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids, which can help reduce acid reflux.
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4. Eat smaller meals
Smaller meals put less pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and stimulate less acid production in the stomach, thereby reducing the risk of acid reflux.
Also, smaller meals are easier to digest, thereby reducing the time food spends in the stomach and regulating gut motility.
5. Avoid tight clothes
Tight clothes put pressure on the stomach, increase intra-abdominal pressure, and also restrict breathing. All these can worsen the acid reflux symptoms.
By avoiding tight clothes, you can reduce pressure on your stomach, improve digestion, and alleviate acid reflux symptoms.
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6. Practice relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation and yoga can help manage reflux. They can help you eat slower, improve digestion, reduce inflammation in the esophagus, regulate gut motility, and also help to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which can help to alleviate acid reflux.
7. Elevating the head of the bed
By elevating the head of the bed, gravity helps to prevent stomach acid from flowing up into the esophagus, which can help in reducing acid reflux.
Also, elevating the head of the bed can can improve digestion by reducing pressure on the stomach. It can also improve breathing, which can become more difficult during pregnancy due to increased pressure on the diaphragm.
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8. Intake of Ginger
Ginger has natural antacids that can help neutralize stomach acids. Intake of ginger can help reduce inflammation in the esophagus, alleviate discomfort and pain, and also soothe the stomach. All these can help reduce nausea and discomfort as well as the acid reflux.
9. Aloe Vera juice
Aloe Vera has natural antacid properties, which help to neutralize stomach acid and reduce reflux symptoms. Aloe Vera aids digestion, protects and soothes the mucous membrane in the esophagus and throat, as well as reducing inflammation.
10. Pineapple or papaya
Pineapple contains an anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain, and papaya also has an anti-inflammatory enzyme called the papain.
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These enzymes helps in digestion and as well reduce inflammation and discomfort in the esophagus and throat.
Papaya and pineapple can help break drown protein and also neutralize the stomach acids.
Prevention Of Acid Reflux During Pregnancy
To prevent acid reflux during pregnancy, you must:
- Maintain a good weight as overweight can be a trigger to acid reflux. Maintaining a good weight, also help you stay healthy, and this can reduce the risk of acid reflux.
- Exercise regularly, but avoid heavy lifting and bending as bending forward puts pressure on the stomach, causing the acid to flow up into the esophagus. Also, lifting heavy objects can strain the LES, and can also put pressure on the abdominal cavity causing acid reflux.
- More intake of food low on acid like bananas, milk,chicken, etc , can help balance pH levels in the body, thereby reducing acidity and the chances of acid reflux.
- Avoid lying down after eating
- Wear clothes with more space, especially after eating, as tight clothes can cause the food flowing up into the esophagus.
- Stay hydrated.
Conclusion
Acid reflux can be very challenging and uncomfortable during pregnancy, as it is a common companion for pregnant women, but by embracing these 10 natural remedies for acid reflux, you would be able to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms, and as well have a healthy pregnancy journey.