GER (gastro esophageal reflux) commonly known as Acid Reflux happens when the acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus and up toward the throat burning it. This condition is usually associated with older or overweight individuals with bad diets. However, it has been estimated that as much as 80% of pregnant women suffer from heartburn symptoms that can be credited to GER. These symptoms can range from very mild to very severe, it generally only last the length of the pregnancy.

Acid reflux is most common during the third trimester as the baby begins to grow larger and presses upward on the abdomen. The morning sickness experienced during the first trimester is usually due to the placenta producing the female hormone progesterone. Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscles in the uterus allowing it to stretch, but unfortunately it also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allowing stomach acid to reflux or back flow into the esophagus. When this happens you experience discomfort or a burning sensation in the chest just below your breast bone.

During the third trimester the uterus enlarges as the baby grows and crowds the abdominal cavity pushing the stomach up against the esophagus. This pressure against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can cause acid reflux or heartburn. If the baby is particularly large a portion of the stomach can be push up through the diaphragm’s esophageal hiatus opening resulting in a hiatal hernia, which also contribute to acid reflux.

What’s a mother to do?

During pregnancy treating acid reflux can become a balancing act between remedies, diet, exercise and making sure the baby gets what it needs. Generally, during pregnancy you want to avoid medications as much as possible because of the there potential negative effect on the unborn child. But at the same time you would like some relief from that awful burning feeling.

These steps will help reduce your acid reflux or heartburn symptoms:

• Eat small meals throughout the day rather than three large meals
• Avoid drinking large quantities of fluids during meals; you don’t want to become dehydrated so sip water throughout the day making sure to get 8 to 10 cups of water.
• Chewing gum can stimulate your saliva, which can help neutralize acid.
• Try a small amount of ginger to help relieve gas, nausea and regurgitation.
• Sleep with your head and shoulders elevated.
• Don’t wear clothes that are tight especially around the stomach area.
• Don’t Smoke, smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid.
• Avoid Alcoholic drinks.
• Use a calcium based antacid, but always check with your doctor first. Always avoid antacids that contain Aluminum or Magnesium.

If after trying the above helps, you don’t find relief from your acid reflux cause from pregnancy contact your doctor he may provide you with a pregnancy safe prescription.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Acid Reflux Causes, Pregnancy

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If acid is not the problem, then what is? You have heard that too much stress causes heartburn, but you have suffered even in relatively easy periods in your life.

You hear that women get heartburn more, but then you hear the same statistic for men.

The fact of the matter is there are too many urban legends and myths about heartburn. You can follow one person’s advice about acid reflux in women and men, only to find out later you did the exact wrong thing.

It can be confusing, but fortunately there is help. The article will help you sort out the fact from the fiction and get rid of your acid reflux for good.

Myth #1: My Acid Reflux Symptoms Are From Too Much Stomach Acid

Fact:
This is perhaps the most common myth about the symptoms of acid reflux in women and men. Your acid reflux symptoms are not because of your stomach acid.

It is because the small muscle at the end of your esophagus is weak. It opens and allows stomach contents, including acid, to flow upward and burn your sensitive esophageal tissue.

That being said, once the acid reflux occurs, the burn from the acid further weakens the esophagus. This does make you susceptible for a repeated occurrence.

However, the true solution is to help your body more quickly digest food. The longer food stays in your stomach, the more acid must be produced to digest it and the more pressure is exerted against the esophagus.

If you can help the food move quickly out of your stomach, you will be able to eliminate heartburn.

Myth #2: Men Get Heartburn More Because Their Busy Schedules Force Them to Eat Junkfood

Fact:
It is true that men traditionally worked long hours and squeezed in any available food, and typically bad-for-you food. However, that is hardly a true statement anymore.

Women are working the same long hours as their male counterparts. Men and women alike are sneaking in donuts as they sit in a morning meeting.

When they come home late at the end of the day, it is a lot simpler to stop at a drive-thru than to come home and cook a healthy, scratch- made meal.

Even stay at home moms are equally susceptible to acid reflux and heartburn. They are shuttling kids between schools and sports, running errands, and trying to keep their home in order.

They are swinging by the coffee shop and guzzling down an extra creamy latte just like their working counterparts.

The truth is that acid reflux is an equal opportunity condition. Both men and women suffer from the problem. Fortunately, the cure for acid reflux is also equal opportunity.

Myth #3: I Will Get Heartburn No Matter How Much I Weigh

Fact:
This could not be further from the truth. Your body wants to be healthy and any excess weight throws off that health. The heavier you are, the more frequently you will suffer from heartburn and acid reflux.

For women, because of their internal build and where they store fat, even a small amount of extra weight can increase the chances of triggering heartburn.

Men have a little more tolerance to weight induced acid reflux, but only slightly. Essentially, a weight gain of 10 pounds or more is opening you up to heartburn and acid reflux.

As you can see, this is just another reason to lose and keep off that extra weight.

Myth #4: Drinking Milk Will Soothe My Tummy

Fact:
Milk is a base, the opposite of an acid. So, this solution seems logical. In fact, there will be an immediate reduction in the stomach acid in your stomach. In the long run, although, milk will only worsen your problem.

As your learned under Myth #1, the main problem causing acid reflux symptoms in women and men is the stomach’s inability to digest the food inside.

Adding more food, such as milk, is only going to slow down digestion. Furthermore, milk is notoriously difficult to digest and you stomach will have to overproduce acid to get rid of it.

When milk combines with stomach acid, the byproduct is gas. Your excess gas is going to push against the esophagus, eventually pushing it open and causing reflux.

Myth #5: Once You Start Taking Medication, You Have To Take It for Life

Fact:
While the medication manufacturers would like you to believe otherwise, this is pure myth. The symptoms of acid reflux in women and men are best controlled off medication.

Many people get lured into taking a daily regiment to control their anti-acid. When they try to go off the medications, the heartburn returns so they feel trapped.

The reason why their acid reflux symptoms return once they go off medication is because they have done nothing to actually fix their problem.

A great philosopher once said “the definition of insanity is repeating the same actions and expecting different results.” This could not be truer with regard to acid reflux and heartburn.

If you have made no effort to change the circumstances causing your problem, the problem is not going to go away.

Simply avoiding a certain food is not the kind of change you need to make. Acid reflux symptoms in women and men are a sign of poor health and you must improve your health to cure your problem. The Heartburn No More program can help you make the changes you need. You will learn techniques to heal and strengthen your esophagus.

You will learn how to nourish your body to make the digestive process more efficient. Additionally, you will learn different ways to improve your overall health which will keep you acid reflux free.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about acid-reflux. It is time to stop listening to old wives’ tales about the problem and starting taking matters into your own hands. However, now that you know the facts about heartburn and acid reflux, you have already taken a very important step in the right direction.

Technorati Tags: Acid Reflux, Barrett's esophagus, Pregnancy

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Technorati Tags: Heartburn, Pregnancy

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