Over The Counter Medicine For Heartburn During Pregnancy

June 12, 2022

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Over The Counter Antacids During Pregnancy

Heartburn during pregnancy

Heartburn is a very common symptom in pregnancy. Just about all pregnant women experience heartburn at some point during their pregnancy. Luckily, there are numerous over the counter heartburn medications that are safe to use during pregnancy. While these medications are considered safe, you still want to be sure not to take more than necessary.

Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

Metamucil, Citracel, Fibercon, Benefiber
Stool softeners colace ,1 tablet 2-3 times a day, pericolace ,1 tablet 1-3 times a day
Laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia, Correctal, Fleets enema and Miralax
Imodium liquid or capsules for diarrhea
Psyllium, which is the basic ingredient in Konsyl and Metamucil
Colace

When To See A Doctor

You should call your healthcare provider if you:

Experience heartburn that doesnt go away
Have heartburn that wakes you up at night
Have trouble swallowing
Have black poop
Are losing weight

If you have chest pain but never had heartburn before, you should see your doctor or seek emergency medical attention right away. It could be a sign of a heart attack.

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Heartburn Medication To Avoid During Pregnancy

Talk to your doctor before taking any antacids. Some contain ingredients that may harm you or your baby. Be sure to not to take these medications:

Ranitidine. In 2020, the FDA stopped sales of an H2 blocker called ranitidine because it was contaminated with a cancer-causing agent. If you take OTC ranitidine, stop your use. If you have a prescription for ranitidine, talk to your doctor about other options before you stop your medication.

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Best With Preservatives: Matys Heartburn Relief Medicine For Pregnancy

Matys offers a variety of medicine for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. The Matys Heartburn Relief Medicine For Pregnancy does the trick and it is alcohol free. The manufacturer says: Each of our products are naturally drug-free and derived from whole food ingredients you know, recognize and can pronounce, like apple cider vinegar, turmeric and ginger. Further, the medicine works with other ingredients, travels well and it works really well.

The medicine provides great value, give it a try and it is great for heartburn. Most importantly, the matys heartburn relief medicine for pregnancy is made with ginger root, lasts longer and it is white.

Most buyers agree that medicine used to be and it is easily handled with a tums or a glass of milk. Moreover, a few also found that the medicine comes with 60 capsules, so price/quantity wise, its a better deal than the over the counter stuff. To sum up, many have used the maty heartburn relief medicine for pregnancy for more than a few months without any complaints, and it shows no sign of giving up.

Top Customer Quotes:

This usually has to take 4 minutes throughout the meal, thats right four.
This felt better and it is best for fast acting relief.
This is a suitable replacement for long-term use with no undesirable or deleterious side effects.
This reduces the acid almost immediately.

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Change Your Eating And Drinking Habits

You may be able to control your indigestion with changes to your eating habits.

It can help to eat small meals often, rather than larger meals 3 times a day, and to not eat within 3 hours of going to bed at night.

Cutting down on drinks containing caffeine, and foods that are rich, spicy or fatty, can also ease symptoms.

Can You Take Ibuprofen While Pregnant

The pain relief component in Advil is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. Ibuprofen use is recommended to be avoided in pregnancy. Ibuprofen has been shown in clinical studies to be linked with miscarriages when taken in the third trimester. The United States Food and Drug Administration considers ibuprofen as a cause of lung damage and heart damage when taken in the third trimester. Evidence of fetal damage due to ibuprofen use is less clear when ibuprofen is taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. Some studies conclude that ibuprofen does not cause fetal malformations when taken in early weeks of pregnancy while other studies suggest ibuprofen can still be damaging when taken in early pregnancy. Recent research suggests that taking ibuprofen during early pregnancy can damage the ovary production of the fetus and lead to reduced reproduction capacity when the fetus grows into a mature adult. For these reasons you should not take Advil during pregnancy. Nsaids are sometimes used in the first trimester of prengnancy but you should definitely consult your physician before reaching for Advil.

Tylenol is considered a better alternative if you absolutely must take an over the counter medication for the purpose of pain relief.

Nexium Control: For 24hr Relief And Protection From Heartburn

The only GSL heartburn medication to provide all day and night relief* with just one pill a day.

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Many heartburn sufferers rely on antacids and alginates, however these treatments do not deliver the sustained relief that frequent sufferers require.

Nexium Control is a proton pump inhibitor containing 20mg esomeprazole. It works by reducing the production of acid in the stomach, providing 24-hour protection from heartburn.

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How Is A Diagnosis Made

How To Prevent & Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy – Jay Goldberg, MD

A diagnosis can be made by the patients report of their symptoms and a physical examination to exclude other pathologies.

The doctor may ask several questions regarding the type of the discomfort experienced including the

Site of the discomfort
Character e.g. burning, stabbing, shooting
When you first noticed the symptoms
How long the symptoms last
Any factors that make it better or worse
The presence of any blood in the refluxed material or from your rectum
Any other symptoms and
How this affects you.

The last question is an important one, as if the symptoms are mild and do not cause you concern, you may be able to avoid medical treatments.

On a case by case basis, the doctor may listen to your heart and lungs, take your blood pressure and/or feel your abdomen.

Further investigations are not usually required and it is important that investigations involving radiation are NOT performed in pregnant women in order to avoid radiation exposure to the foetus.

If symptoms are persistent, gastrointestinal endoscopy is the investigation of choice.

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Safe Prescription Allergy Medications

Singulair : Usage of montelukast during pregnancy for treatment of asthma does not appear to increase the risk of major birth defects.
Allergy shots : Its considered safe to continue your allergy shots during pregnancy. Let your healthcare providers know that youre pregnant and they will carefully monitor your dosage.

Best For Joint Pain: Genexa Heartburn Relief Medicine For Pregnancy

Next on the list, weve got yet another medicine that manages to win our hearts. Its the Genexa Heartburn Relief Medicine For Pregnancy and its widely considered as one of the most convenient medicines you can buy. The genexa heartburn reliefmedicine forpregnancy is perfect for use for heartburn and it works really well. That means making medicine with the same active ingredients you need, but without the artificial ones you do not. And, this is pleasantly surprised, is sugar free and it is designed for good taste.

Above all, the genexa heartburnrelief medicine for pregnancy is made with artificial colors, is great for heartburn and it is really good.

Almost all customers opine that the medicine is organic and naturally flavored. In addition, a few strongly agree that the medicine comes with a plastic seal outside, which is secure. Further, they say that the calcium carbonate in this chewable tablet is effective and safe to use. Obviously, this medicine passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

Top Customer Quotes:

The Manufacturer says: our products are made with globally-sourced ingredients backed by trusted certifications.
This provides immediate relief longer.
This has more natural ingredients than the big names.
This is good for occasional heart burn and sour stomach.

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Why Does It Happen In Pregnancy

Many women who have heartburn during pregnancy have never had problems before. Unfortunately, if you had heartburn before becoming pregnant, youre more likely to have symptoms while you are pregnant. Although the exact reasons arent clear, most experts believe that pregnancy hormones, particularly progesterone, play a role. Hormones cause relaxation of the esophageal sphincter. This is a tight circular band of muscle at the top of the stomach. This allows partially digested food and stomach acids to backflow, or reflux, into the esophagus. In addition, progesterone also slows the digestive process. This keeps food in the stomach longer. The pregnancy itselfthe upward pressure of the growing uterusalso may play a role.

Chew Gum To Get Rid Of Heartburn

A research shows that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease got relief when they were asked to chew sugar-free gum for about half an hour after a meal. When you chew gum, it stimulates your salivary glands to increase the flow of saliva. This saliva washes away or neutralizes your stomach acid giving you instant relief from heartburn.

Get this:

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What Makes It Worse

Most spicy, greasy, fatty foods known for causing heartburn are also likely to cause problems for pregnant women. Food doesnt digest as well or move as quickly during pregnancy. So, eating large meals or overeating in general can also increase the risk for heartburn. Eating right before bedtime can cause problems, too. Smoking makes heartburn worse and is another reason to quit, especially while pregnant.

Which Diet And Lifestyle Changes Relieve Heartburn During Pregnancy

The management of heartburn during pregnancy involves many of the same principles as management in the non-pregnant state. Lifestyle changes may include:

Raise the head of the bed on 6- to 8-inch blocks. Alternatively, a 6- to 8-inch wedge-shaped foam rubber pad could be used to elevate the upper body. It is important the foam is firm enough to truly elevate the upper body. The wedge should also extend all the way to the waist so the entire chest is elevated.

Lying on the left side at night may decrease acid reflux just as it does in non-pregnant women with GERD. In this position, it is physically more difficult for acid to reflux into the esophagus.

Occasionally, it may be necessary to sleep in a recliner chair at a 45-degree or greater angle.

Any specific foods that aggravate heartburn should be avoided

Frequent, small meals should be eaten rather than three large meals, and the last meal of the day should be early in the evening.

After meals, pregnant women are prone to heartburn should not lie down.

After the evening meal, no further liquids should be consumed. The emptier the stomach at bedtime, the less likely there will be reflux of acid.

Smoking should be discontinued for numerous reasons during pregnancy, including that it aggravates reflux.

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How Do I Treat Heartburn During Pregnancy

When youre growing a human being, you dont have time for that yucky acid reflux. But your usual go-to methods for treating it may not be safe for your unborn baby.

Instead, here are some of the safest and best ways to get rid of heartburn when youre pregnant:

Dip into some yogurt. Its probiotics and soothing texture make yogurt a great option for extinguishing heartburn or at least dousing the flames a little.

Drink milk with honey. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a tablespoon of honey mixed in a glass of warm milk may be just what you need to neutralize heartburn-causing acid.

Snack on almonds. Munching on a handful of almonds may provide heartburn relief since these nuts have a lower acidity level than others.

Eat pineapple or papaya. For some women, the digestive enzymes in pineapple and papaya have helped ease symptoms. Eating these fruits after your meals can aid digestion and reduce your chances of heartburn.

Try a little ginger. You probably knew ginger was a good remedy for an upset stomach. Well, that makes it a helpful candidate for fighting off heartburn, too. Among gingers many benefits, it can reduce inflammation and prevent stomach acid from traveling up the esophagus.

Chew sugar-free gum. Another effective method for taming the burn is to chew some sugar-free gum. One study found that chewing sugar-free gum for 30 minutes after a meal can reduce acid reflux.

Do Antacids Cause Side Effects

How can I ease heartburn during pregnancy? – Reston Hospital Center

The extra calcium from calcium carbonate antacids can cause gas, bloating, or constipation in some people. Antacids can also affect how well you absorb other medications, like iron supplements. Ask your pharmacist to check for interactions and space calcium carbonate antacids 1 to 2 hours apart from other medications when needed.

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What Is Heartburn

Heartburn is when you have a burning feeling in your chest. The uncomfortable sensation can move up your throat. You may also have a bitter or sour taste in the back of your throat.

Though its called heartburn, its not related to your heart. It happens because of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid moves from your stomach up to your esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food, liquid and saliva to your stomach.

A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter sits between the esophagus and stomach. It opens to allow food to pass, then closes so acid doesnt travel back up your esophagus. But if the LES doesnt close properly, the acid can move into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

Can I Take Over

Nonprescription heartburn relievers, such as TumsÂ® or MaaloxÂ®, can help you feel better. But talk to your healthcare provider before taking antacids. They may contain high sodium levels, which can cause you to retain water. Some also have aluminum in them, which isnt safe to consume during pregnancy. Your provider can recommend an antacid thats safe during pregnancy.

Burning Sensation From Heartburn

The burning sensation of gastroesophageal reflux is one of the worst symptoms. Some pregnant women experience localized chest pain from indigestion. Talk to your doctor to find out what is safe to take and to rule out other complications.

Drinking raw apple cider vinegar mixed in water throughout the day can help balance your pregnancy heartburn.

Coconut water can also act as an acid neutralizer. As a bonus, coconut water is great for rehydrating something that can be difficult during pregnancy.

Learn What Causes Heartburn For Youthen Avoid It

Fat, caffeine, chocolate, citruspregnant women with heartburn have been advised to avoid all of the above at one time or another. But what causes reflux in one woman might not be a trigger for another.

Rather than tell his pregnant patients to avoid a specific food, Dr. Richter says he advises them to stay away from foods that specifically aggravate them. Everybodys different, Dr. Richter says. Some pregnant women can chow down on spicy Mexican food or a plate of spaghetti and meatballs with no ill effects.

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Pepcid Can Be Taken For Heartburn While Pregnancy

This medicine is usually prescribed for treating ulcers in the stomach. Also, it aids in balancing the acid amount inside the stomach as well as in the esophagus. It is ordinarily prescribed to those with GERD, which often occurs in pregnancy. It is a safe option for heartburn amid pregnancy as it has no side effects.

How Can I Prevent Heartburn During Pregnancy

They say prevention is the best medicine, so knowing common heartburn triggers can help you keep the acid at bay.

Of course, pregnancy itself is a major trigger for heartburn. As your growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach, this pushes stomach acid up your throat.

Those lovely hormones are no help either. They tend to relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which makes it easier for acid to make its way upward.

While theres nothing you can do to stop this entirely, there are a few things that can help prevent heartburn from flaring up during pregnancy:

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Natural Treatments For Heartburns During Pregnancy

Natural remedies are always better than pharmaceutical drugs since they will not have any side effects. These methods are being used even before the medicine was discovered, so they can be trusted easily. The following are some natural solutions to treat heartburns during pregnancy

Try eating yogurt before and after every meal. Make sure you do not overeat! Take 1-2 spoon-full only.

Drink a glass of milk

Put tablespoon honey in a glass of warm milk

Use ginger in the form of candies or ginger ales to help get relief from heartburn during pregnancy.

Say hello to chewing gums. This might seem weird to many but it is proven that the bicarbonate in saliva helps to reduce acid effect giving you quick relief from heartburn.

Use apple cider vinegar. Mix a tablespoon of it in a glass of water and keep sipping it throughout the day.

A spoon of baking soda in a glass of water can help.

If these natural therapies do not provide relief from heartburns, then you can always switch to medications. Without the advice of your doctor, you should not take any medications. Several antacids which are usually taken might prove harmful for you during pregnancy due to the high levels of sodium or aluminum components.

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