Best Heartburn Medicine During Pregnancy

What Medicines To Avoid

According to this list from BabyCenter, when picking out a heartburn medication, there are a few ingredients to avoid. Aluminum is one to avoid, as it can be constipating and toxic in very large doses. Also avoid any medicine containing aspirin, as its not recommended in high doses during pregnancy. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate are also ones to avoid. They both have high amounts of sodium, which causes water retention and swelling. No pregnant woman needs MORE swelling!

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Possible Causes Of Heartburn

Certain types of foods, most notably of the spicy variety, can contribute to heartburn. However, even foods like tomato products, peppermint, and chocolate can trigger these symptoms.2 Heartburn may also be caused by daily habits and lifestyle choices, such as exercise routines and the type of clothes worn 4, 5

Clinical Presentation During Pregnancy

The symptoms of heartburn during pregnancy do not differ from the classical presentation in the general adult population. Heartburn is the predominate symptom and worsens as pregnancy advances. Regurgitation occurs in about the same frequency as heartburn. The majority of patients report exacerbation of symptoms with eating and at bedtime. Some patients will eat only one meal a day because of intense postprandial symptoms and others will need to sleep upright in a chair. Complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy, especially oesophagitis and stricture formation, are rare. This observation should not be surprising since the reflux of pregnancy is generally of short duration without a background of chronic GERD.

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Slippery Elm Bark And Marshmallow Root

Some mamas find relief from mucilaginous herbs like slippery elm bark and marshmallow root. Due to their gummy consistency, they coat the intestines and soothe digestion. Be sure to use under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner and away from food and supplementsthey can interfere with nutrient absorption.

Talk To Your Doctor About Alginates

Antacids are the most commonly bought heartburn medicine/ medications, but you can get some that also have alginates. These medications help to line the esophagus to eliminate the pain and discomfort that you feel, giving you immediate relief.

At the same time, they create a barrier over the top of your stomach acid. This foamy barrier stops the acid from getting through, preventing the reason for the heartburn in the first place. Its a long-term option.

If you suffer from bad acid reflux during the night, you will want to discuss these as an option during pregnancy with your doctor. They can give the lining throughout the night to help you sleep and then you stick to immediate or other options during the day.

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Buying Guide For Best Heartburn Medicines

Believe it or not, sometimes we do eat the whole thing. Occasional food indiscretions, especially with spicy or acidic dishes, can lead to a painful but temporary discomfort known as heartburn or acid reflux. For many years, the strongest cures for these ailments were only available by prescription, and often expensive. Fortunately, the FDA has approved a number of advanced heartburn-relief medicines for over-the-counter sales, including some of the best-known brands on the market. Now heartburn relief is available at your nearby drugstore, no prescription required.

If youre looking for a powerful pill-size ally in the fight against heartburn and acid reflux, we at BestReviews have created this shopping guide to walk you through the sometimes challenging process of finding exactly the right medication to meet your particular needs.

Heres what you need to know the next time your favourite pizza or spicy taco decides not to play fair.

Try Out Pepcid For Your Heartburn

One of the branded medications that you can take is Pepcid. This medication is commonly used for treating ulcers in the stomach, and it helps to balance out the amount of acid within the stomach and in the food pipe. It is very commonly recommended to those with GERD, which can flare up during pregnancy.

Since it doesnt cause other effects on your body, it is safe during pregnancy. In fact, doctors recommend it in many heartburn meddicine cases.

There are both liquid and tablet forms. Liquids tend to be the most favored and they may feel like they soothe on the way down. If you want to eliminate the problem completed, consider the above advice of taking a tablet with little water.

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What Are The Precautions Of Heartburn Relievers For Pregnant Women

Are there any precautions to consider when it comes to the best heartburn relief? Well, heartburn relievers should be taken with caution because they can cause side effects when taken regularly. If you are pregnant, you will need to talk with your doctor first to ensure that there wont be any side effects to you and your unborn child. Keep in mind that not all heartburn relievers work the same especially when you are pregnant, so you need to be cautious as much as possible.

Another precaution that you need to consider when looking for the best heartburn relief is the ingredients included. Some products may contain inactive ingredients that can trigger side effects, so it is best that you do your research first as much as possible. This way, you will be able to avoid untoward incidents when taking heartburn medication while you are pregnant. Dont forget that there are some side effects that may crop up while taking this medication. This includes diarrhea, nausea, even headache too. If your heartburn doesnt occur all the time, you might want to stick to safer alternatives such as natural remedies as they will be able to protect you and your baby better than synthesized medications.

Safe Medications During Pregnancy

Theres no doubt that along with the joys of pregnancy, women can and do experience uncomfortable side effects. If youre feeling under the weather, you may be wondering if over-the-counter remedies are safe for you and your baby. In most cases, its best to avoid OTC medications particularly in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. While some medications are safe to use in limited quantities, other medicines are known to increase the chance of birth defects or other problems.

If you have questions or are considering a medication thats not listed below, please reach out to your doctor for additional safety information. You should also call your doctor if you have a fever 100.4 F or greater, or if symptoms persist or worsen. The obstetrics specialists at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group are here to help you weigh the risks and benefits of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

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Symptoms Of Indigestion And Heartburn

Symptoms of indigestion and heartburn include:

• a burning sensation or pain in the chest
• feeling full, heavy or bloated
• burping or belching
• feeling or being sick
• bringing up food

Symptoms usually come on soon after eating or drinking, but there can sometimes be a delay between eating and developing indigestion.

You can get symptoms at any point during your pregnancy, but they are more common from 27 weeks onwards.

What Treatments Are Available For Heartburn In Pregnancy

The treatment of any condition occurring during pregnancy is complicated by the need to avoid treatments that may be harmful to the foetus. The treatment of heartburn is no exception.

Lifestyle modifications and dietary changes recommended prior to medical treatments.

Lifestyle modifications

Several strategies can be used to help reduce heartburn symptoms including:

• Eating smaller meals more frequently by not overfilling the stomach there is less pressure on the sphincter which normally acts to prevent the flow of stomach contents back up the oesophagus
• Avoiding eating late at night most women experience their symptoms more frequently at night, so by avoiding meals late at night you can increase the time between eating and lying down, which may improve your symptoms
• Avoiding foods that trigger symptoms if certain foods like spicy or oily foods seem to trigger your symptoms it may be best to avoid these foods
• Elevating the head of the bed this puts gravity on your side to make it harder for stomach contents to enter the oesophagus and
• Chewing gum can be beneficial as it stimulates the salivary glands and helps to neutralise the stomach acids.

Alcohol and tobacco should be avoided not only to reduce reflux symptoms but also to avoid exposing the foetus to these harmful substances.

Antacids

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Get Zantac 75 When Theres No Pepcid

If you run out of Pepcid and you cant get anymore, Zantac 75 is an option. This is another heartburn medication that works on neutralizing the acid in the stomach. It doesnt work on blocking the acid production in the way that the above medication does.

You can get the Zantac 75 without a prescription in both liquid and tablet form. It can be effective for on the spot heartburn relief, but its not the best option. It is one of those for the longer term benefits.

Zantac 75 can also help to relief stomach pains and coughs. It also helps to limit the production of ulcers in the stomach by keeping the acid levels neutral.

Causes Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

Heartburn in pregnancy may happen because of changing hormone levels, which can affect the muscles of the digestive tract and how your body handles different foods.

Pregnancy hormones can cause your lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into your esophagus. Also, as your baby grows, your enlarged uterus can crowd the abdomen, pushing stomach acids upward. Although its rare, gallstones can also cause heartburn during pregnancy.

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What Are The Benefits Of Heartburn Relievers For Pregnant Women

Youre probably wondering why you need to get your hands on the best heartburn relief when you are pregnant. Well, heartburn relievers are perfect for those moments when gas starts to build up in your stomach during pregnancy. As the baby grows inside of you, it is putting pressure on your stomach which can lead to gas build up. This causes the stomach acid to go up your esophagus which is why you end up with the taste of bile at the back of your throat. A heartburn reliever can provide you with these benefits.

Prevention Of Heartburn During Pregnancy

Some tips that may help you cut down on heartburn during your pregnancy include:

• Eat several small meals each day instead of three large ones.
• Eat slowly.
• Avoid fried, spicy, or rich foods or any foods that seem to cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the risk of heartburn.
• Donât smoke tobacco or drink alcohol, which can make heartburn symptoms worse.
• Drink less while eating. Drinking large amounts while eating may increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.
• Don’t lie down directly after eating.
• Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or place pillows under your shoulders to help prevent stomach acids from rising into your esophagus.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothes can increase the pressure on your stomach and abdomen.
• Try to avoid constipation.

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Indigestion And Heartburn In Pregnancy

Indigestion, also called heartburn or acid reflux, is common in pregnancy. It can be caused by hormonal changes and the growing baby pressing against your stomach.

You can help ease indigestion and heartburn by making changes to your diet and lifestyle, and there are medicines that are safe to take in pregnancy.

How Can I Manage Symptoms Of Heartburn

You can carry out a few lifestyle changes as a pregnant woman that may help considerably with your symptoms:

Eat small regular meals. This avoids filling up your already squashed stomach. Take measured bites and drink slowly

Refrain from eating up to three hours before bedtime

Use two pillows to keep your head and shoulders above your chest when lying down to avoid acid going up the oesophagus

Avoid bending or stooping positions

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What To Avoid If You Have Acid Reflux While Pregnant

Knowing what foods and lifestyle choices trigger acid reflux can be beneficial in preventing it in the first place. Below are just some of the things you should avoid when dealing with heartburn during pregnancy.

• Avoid eating big meals throughout the day. Acid reflux gets worse with undigested food. To avoid putting stress on your stomach, avoid eating big meals and eat smaller meals throughout the day instead. Divide three big meals into five or seven smaller meals to help your body digest the food properly.
• Dont exercise. Exercise can put stress on the body and worsen acid reflux symptoms. To prevent flare-ups, stick to low-stress exercise like walking. Ask your doctor for exercise recommendations. Read more in our post: Does Working Out Make Acid Reflux Worse?
• Refrain from snacking too close to bedtime. Lying down after a meal is one of the fastest ways to trigger acid reflux. Snacking close to bedtime also has the same effect. To prevent late night heartburn, sit up for at least 2 hours after your meal to prevent the food from traveling back up the esophagus.
• Avoid citrusy and high fat foods. Foods high in fat and citrus content can also trigger acid production. Stay away from citrusy foods and foods high in fat to avoid trigger heartburn and acid reflux.
• Skip the coffee. Coffee is an acidic beverage, which could contribute to your acid reflux. Skip the morning coffee, as well as the orange juice. Stick to beverages without any caffeine content.

Causes Of Indigestion In Pregnancy

Symptoms of indigestion come when the acid in your stomach irritates your stomach lining or your gullet. This causes pain and a burning feeling.

When you’re pregnant, you’re more likely to have indigestion because of:

• hormonal changes
• the growing baby pressing on your stomach
• the muscles between your stomach and gullet relaxing, allowing stomach acid to come back up

You may be more likely to get indigestion in pregnancy if:

• you had indigestion before you were pregnant
• you’ve been pregnant before
• you’re in the later stages of pregnancy

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That Uncomfortable Burning Sensation Can Be A Constant Companion For Women Who Are Expecting Learn About Heartburn Triggers And The Best Strategies For Quick Relief

Pregnancy is an exciting time for expecting mothers. Yet each trimester brings a multitude of challenges due to the demands of a growing baby, including fatigue and morning sickness.1 While mood swings and food cravings are common pregnancy topics, less is said about the toll it takes on basic bodily functionsincluding how the digestive system processes food when theres a baby on board.1

The reality is that many pregnant women experience heartburn, an uncomfortable, burning sensation in the chest that results from acid backing up in the esophagus.2 Heartburn can be very uncomfortable and getting quick relief is important to avoid further distress. Heres what you should know about the condition and its solutions.

What’s The Best Heartburn Relief For Pregnant Wome

Welcome to bumps. This website provides reliable, evidence-based, and accurate information about use of medicines in pregnancy, in the form of freely available patient information leaflets called ‘Bumps’ . Bump leaflets are produced by the UK Teratology Information Service , a not-for-profit national organisation hosted by the Newcastle upon Tyne. Heartburn occurs in one-quarter to one-half of all pregnant women. Heartburn usually begins in the first or second trimester of pregnancy and continues throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. Heartburn during pregnancy is usually mild and intermittent it can be severe in some cases Indigestion usually starts from the second trimester and sneak at its peak in the third trimester when your stomach stretches up to the chest, making room for the growing baby. In short, heartburn is a symptom of indigestion. The probability of indigestion-free pregnancy is meagre and mostly everyone has to pass through this pregnancy symptom EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER: Ranitidine is the best-studied agent effective for treatment of heartburn in pregnancy. Some antacids are effective, but it may be prudent to avoid them in the first trimester until better safety studies are published. Although sucralfate, metoclopromide, and the proton pump inhibitors are probably safe in pregnancy, there are no data about their efficacy. (Grade of.

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Pregnancy And Heartburn: Causes & Managemen