Increased stomach acidity during pregnancy

Have you been struggling with GASTRITIS and ULCERS for many years without success?

“You will be amazed at how easy it is to cure gastritis and ulcers just by taking it every day.

Increased stomach acidity in women very often occurs during pregnancy. This is explained by the fact that during gestation the female body experiences enormous stress, and with the gradual growth of the fetus, the organs in the abdominal cavity are displaced. In this case, you need to think about changing your diet or see a doctor for treatment.

Causes of high acidity during pregnancy

Many people believe that any pregnancy must necessarily be accompanied by a burning sensation from the release of gastric juice. However, this is far from true, because the reasons for its appearance are different, and some may have them, while others may not.

The most common causes of high acidity are:

Hormonal imbalances. If the body produces too much progesterone during the process of bearing a baby, then this gradually relaxes the muscles of the uterus and the esophageal sphincter, which also affects the digestive organs.
The appearance of pressure inside the abdominal cavity.
As the baby grows, the organs shift and look for a place that has not yet been occupied by the fetus or other organs. Therefore, the volume of the stomach, being in a compressed state, begins to throw excess juice into the esophagus, which causes a burning sensation. And it seems that the acidity is increased.
Passive lifestyle. If you move a little, eat at night, and mostly fatty foods, then the body will react to this with poor digestion and the appearance of increased acidity. It is a natural reaction, because the organ tries to digest food faster, increasing the production of juice for this.

You should not self-medicate or try to take pills like no-shpa. It is better to seek advice from a specialist and strictly follow the instructions and recommendations. Depending on the identified cause, the course of treatment will be determined.

Nutrition correction

Increased acidity in pregnant women manifests itself not only in the form of heartburn and discomfort in the upper chest, but also sour belching, a bitter taste, lack of energy during the day, and poor digestion.

In this case, the menu should consist of the following products:

Low fat dairy products.
Dried fruits and fruit purees.
Turkey instead of fatty meats.
Clean water without gas.
Boiled vegetables (pumpkin, potatoes, carrots).
Puddings, soufflé.

Raw vegetables, chocolate, sweet carbonated water, and chewing gum should be avoided. The expectant mother may also notice that she constantly wants to eat, despite the appearance of heartburn. You will have to fight your appetite, and replace heavy snacks with a glass of warm milk. This is necessary to reduce the load on the stomach.

General recommendations during the diet

The diet helps to minimize acidity, especially in the early stages and normalize the well-being of the expectant mother. However, besides this, there are a number of recommendations that a pregnant woman must also follow to achieve a lasting effect:

Do not wear tight clothing, especially with a belt under the chest. Although it is so popular among women expecting a baby, it is precisely these things that can cause frequent heartburn. Therefore, it is better to abandon it for a while.
Do not drink water before or during meals. Excess fluid increases the amount of gastric juice and leads to a burning sensation. After the meal, at least 20 minutes should pass, after which the liquid can be drunk.
The number of snacks per day should be increased, while the portion size should be reduced. This will allow the body to gradually digest food, receive all the nutrients, and not overload the stomach at the same time.
Control weight gain. During the entire pregnancy, it is desirable that it does not increase by more than 14-15 kilograms.
Try not to eat before going to bed. Dinner should be no later than 3-4 hours before bedtime.
The pillow should not be too low during the night. If possible, you need to raise the head of the bed a little.
You should not take vitamins or prescribed active supplements on an empty stomach.

Treatment of heartburn

When the disease worsens, the woman is prescribed bed rest.
A diet is also necessary. For gastritis, split meals are recommended (5-6 times a day). The food is first prepared in a semi-liquid form, without frying, with limited table salt and carbohydrates (sugar, jam, confectionery), and broths that have a juice-like effect.

Milk, slimy or milky cereal soups, soft-boiled eggs, meat or fish balls, dumplings, butter, cottage cheese, kefir, vegetable stew, fresh fruits and vegetables are recommended. As the condition improves, the diet is expanded to include boiled fish and meat, boiled potatoes, pasta, lean ham, doctor's sausage, any cereals, non-acidic sour cream, and cheese.

Even after switching to a normal diet, patients are advised to exclude smoked foods, spicy seasonings, and fried foods from the diet, which, however, should be avoided by all pregnant women.

For pregnant women with normal or increased acidity of gastric juice, it is recommended (in the absence of edema) to use mineral waters: “Borjomi”, “Smirnovskaya”, “Slavyanovskaya”, “Jermuk” 150-300 ml 3 times a day 1.5-2 hours after meals, since this reduces the time of action of hydrochloric acid on the gastric mucosa.

For chronic gastritis with low acidity, use water such as “Mirgorodskaya”, “Essentuki” No. 4, 17 or “Arzni” (remember, acidity is determined using probing and pH-metry).

Drug treatment for pregnant women suffering from chronic gastritis has its own characteristics. Elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection during pregnancy is not carried out, since the use of drugs used for this purpose is undesirable: De-Nol and Tetracycline, Oxacillin and Furazolidone (used instead of Tetracycline) are ineffective without De-Nol.

In case of severe exacerbation of chronic gastritis B, you can use the anti-inflammatory effect of Gastrofarm (2 tablets 3 times a day, 30 minutes before meals). Maalox, which has an antacid (reduces the acidity of gastric juice) and analgesic effect, is prescribed in tablets or suspension 1 hour after meals.

Gelusillac has an adsorbing effect on hydrochloric acid and prevents its excessive formation; it is prescribed 3-5 times a day, one powder 1-2 hours after meals and, if necessary, at night. Antispasmodic drugs (Papaverine Hydrochloride, No-Shpa) eliminate pain.

Cerucal (synonyms: Metoclopramide, Reelan) regulates the motor function of the stomach, eliminates nausea and vomiting.

Many women during pregnancy hope to find a way to completely get rid of the symptoms of heartburn. But this is unrealistic, since the key to successful treatment is influencing the cause.

In this case, you can only reduce discomfort and prevent the development of complications. After all, it is impossible to remove the main reason – pregnancy.

Treatment should begin with a change in diet. Sometimes it is enough to limit portion sizes and exclude certain foods to get rid of unpleasant symptoms. Only if all of the above does not help, the doctor can prescribe medications.

Attention! It is prohibited to take heartburn medications on your own. Many of them negatively affect the development of the fetus and are therefore contraindicated during pregnancy.

How to get rid of heartburn?

Change your diet - split meals will reduce the frequency of heartburn attacks. Try to eat more often – 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.
Eliminate sour foods from your diet. Reduce the amount of spices in all dishes to a minimum. Everything peppered and salty causes increased secretion of gastric juice.
Don't eat before going to bed and go to rest. The last meal is recommended less than an hour before bedtime. Eat little before going to bed.
Milk does not improve the condition. Only temporarily reduces heartburn symptoms. But, after 20-30 minutes, drinking milk increases the secretion of the stomach.
Try to eat foods rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, wholemeal bread). For heartburn, oatmeal cooked in water has a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus.
Reduce your fat intake to a minimum. Fats require longer processing in the stomach, therefore they stimulate the production of gastric juice.
It is necessary to exclude smoking and alcohol consumption.

Heartburn medicine

In the treatment of heartburn, drugs of various groups are used. However, it is worth keeping in mind that heartburn is not an independent disease, but only a manifestation of an illness or disorder. Therefore, first of all, to prevent relapses of heartburn, it is necessary to cure the disease itself. In the case of pregnancy, as a rule, after the birth of the child, heartburn disappears on its own.

Due to the fact that the main damaging effect on the wall of the esophagus during reflux is hydrochloric acid, it would be logical to reduce the acidity of gastric juice.

There are several groups of medications that cope with this task.

These preparations contain acid-neutralizing chemical compounds (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxycarbonate). By entering into a chemical reaction in the cavities of the esophagus and stomach, these compounds neutralize acidity.

Do not have a general effect on the body
Have a quick effect
Affordable price
These drugs can be used during pregnancy and lactation

May cause constipation or diarrhea
Have a short-term effect (reducing acidity)
Long-term use may lead to electrolyte imbalance

– these drugs block the ability of secreting cells in the gastric mucosa to produce hydrochloric acid. This reduces the acidity of the stomach.

Blockers of H2 gitsamine receptors. These drugs specifically bind to the surface of gastric secretory cells at histamine H2 receptors, blocking them. Due to this blocking, the secretion of hydrochloric acid is reduced.

Benefits of antisecretion drugs

Have a long lasting effect
Does not affect peristalsis activity
Possible use during pregnancy and lactation

Disadvantages of drugs that reduce secretion

After administration, the onset of action is no earlier than 30 minutes.
Affect the activity of other medications taken
They can cause a number of serious complications, so use is only possible under the supervision of the attending physician.

Is it possible to treat heartburn with soda?

In fact, soda, entering into a chemical reaction with hydrochloric acid, neutralizes the latter, thereby reducing the acidity of the stomach. However, soda has one important drawback - during the chemical reaction, a lot of carbon dioxide is released, which acts as an irritant on the gastric mucosa, further stimulating it to produce gastric juice. Therefore, treating heartburn with soda is like putting out a fire with gasoline.

In order to reduce the frequency of heartburn attacks, pregnant women should first of all adhere to fractional meals, not take a horizontal position earlier than 30-45 minutes after eating, take food in small portions, sleep or rest during the day, it is necessary to take a position with the head end of the body elevated (angle about 15-25 degrees).

During pregnancy, it is necessary to avoid taking any medications, however, the possibility of developing complications requires, among other things, medication for heartburn.

Consider the groups of medications that can be taken for heartburn during pregnancy.

Drugs from the antacid group Their use during pregnancy is possible, but it should be taken into account that medications such as Almagel or Maalox can cause constipation when taken regularly. Considering that many women have this unpleasant factor during pregnancy even without these medications, these medications should be excluded as the main means of treating heartburn.

Rennie's drug does not have this effect (does not cause constipation), so it is the drug of choice during pregnancy.

Some drugs from the group of antisecretory H2 histamine blockers - Ranitidine, Cimetidine - have been tested. These drugs have been shown to be safe when used during pregnancy.

Drugs from the group of antisecretory proton pump blockers have not been studied for safety during pregnancy. Therefore, you should refrain from using them (may be used with the permission of your gynecologist).

Specialty: Ophthalmologist

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Gastrointestinal diseases can be triggered by various reasons: stress factors, addictions or disordered eating. Often such ailments are accompanied by increased stomach acidity, the symptoms of which cause the patient a lot of trouble.

For increased stomach acidity, complex treatment is prescribed, including both medication and traditional medicine. Proper nutrition also plays an important role in the treatment of this disease.

Excessive secretion of stomach acid poses a great threat to the health of the entire digestive system.

Increased production of hydrochloric acid in digestive juice can be treated with the following medications:

"Motilium", "Domidon". These medications help move stomach contents into the duodenum.
"Maalox", "Phosphalugel", "Almagel". These medications relieve burning sensation in the esophagus and are used when the stomach hurts.
"Omez", "Nolpaza". The drugs are intended to neutralize the increased production of hydrochloric acid.
"Kvametel", "Ranitidine". These medications can reduce the level of acidity in the stomach and alleviate the accompanying painful symptoms of the disease.
"Mezim", "Creon". Medicines to restore microflora.

Before taking medications, you need to familiarize yourself with their contraindications. The instructions for the medicine indicate the following contraindications: increased individual sensitivity to the components of the drug, pregnancy, lactation, young age of the patient, acute form of the disease, etc.

If the recommended dosage regimen is not followed and as a result of neglecting contraindications, the patient may experience side effects such as nausea, constipation, vomiting, and changes in taste. If the dosage is not taken for a long time, you may experience a headache, thirst, and a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, the patient has osteoporosis, impaired renal function, hyporeflexia, and other “side effects” were recorded.

Treatment of increased stomach acidity is carried out both with medications and folk remedies. Alternative medicine offers many recipes based on natural ingredients that can reduce the level of acid-forming function and remove painful signs of the disease. Folk remedies for the effective treatment of acidosis are as follows:

Potato juice. Making this product is not difficult. It is enough to squeeze the juice from fresh tubers and drink before each meal. The dosage starts with one teaspoon and gradually increases to 100 ml.

You can reduce acidity on your own, but only for a short time. A glass of fresh milk or a cocktail of baking soda and vinegar will come to the rescue. There are also life-saving pills that, when chewed, can suppress heartburn.

How to get rid of heartburn?

What to do if you suffer from heartburn all day, which is always a consequence of increased acidity. It is not recommended to buy questionable or untested drugs during pregnancy, because they can become a serious threat to the child. Better try to eat something. There are a number of products that help alleviate the condition during heartburn and quickly stop its manifestation.

Walnuts.
Roasted seeds.
Hazelnut.
Almond.
Grapefruit juice.
Carrot juice.

Peppermint tea also helps a lot; it can not only reduce the appearance of heartburn, but also eliminate the feeling of nausea. All these foods should be eaten in moderation so that they do not cause extra pounds, as they are very high in calories.

Treatment of acidity

They mainly fight high acidity by exclusively changing their lifestyle and diet. However, the doctor may prescribe medications to relieve unpleasant symptoms. The remedy is selected depending on the condition of the pregnant woman and the period. The safest are:

Rennie.
Gaviscon.
Ranitidine.
Alginic acid.
Omeprazole.

Among the folk remedies, ginger and chamomile tea, mint, and ground eggshells help a lot. But with herbs, as with medicines, you should be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage and constantly monitored by a specialist. You should not start the situation, hoping that the unpleasant symptom will go away on its own, or that this condition is natural and you just need to endure it. By contacting a specialist and undergoing a simple examination, you can solve the problem and enjoy pregnancy without unpleasant and uncomfortable sensations.

Excessive acidity greatly increases the risk of inflammatory pathologies of the esophagus and stomach. Pregnancy can radically change the course of digestive processes, cause the appearance of new unusual symptoms, and sometimes exacerbation of existing chronic diseases of the digestive system, which must be prevented.

How to treat high stomach acidity during pregnancy

Etiology

Increased acidity during pregnancy is a common symptom. Heartburn, which develops as a result of hypersecretion of gastric juice, occurs in eighty percent of pregnant women.

As a rule, the concentration of acid increases in the gastric region during the second and third trimester. The duration of an attack, characterized by severe symptoms, can range from several minutes to several hours.

Uncontrolled use of antacid medications for heartburn can aggravate the situation, causing irreparable damage and harm to the fetus.

During the initial stages of pregnancy, major hormonal changes occur. They contribute to the normal, full development of the baby due to the consumption of nutrients from the mother’s body. At this time, various changes occur in the functioning of the woman’s gastrointestinal tract. Increased acidity during pregnancy is most often a consequence of the active functioning of hormones.

There is a special sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, which must close after the next portion of food arrives. In this way, the risk of food being thrown back is prevented.

During pregnancy, the level of progesterone in the blood increases noticeably, which helps relax the smooth muscles of the uterus and intestines. As a result, significant changes in peristalsis are observed. Peristalsis ensures the passage of food through the digestive tract.

With the restructuring of the endocrine system, the intestinal muscles are in a relaxed state, and the risk of developing constipation increases. When the sphincter located between the intestines and stomach relaxes, food is thrown into the esophagus. Hydrochloric acid acts as the main irritant of the mucous membrane, provoking an attack of heartburn in pregnant women.

Increased stomach acidity in later stages is due to an increase in the size of the uterus, which puts pressure on neighboring organs, as well as on the gastrointestinal tract. Discomfort occurs immediately after eating, regardless of the type of product.

Among the main factors contributing to increased production of hydrochloric acid and disruption of peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract, the following should be noted:

frequent large meals before going to bed;
tight and tight clothing that compresses the intestines;
medications intended to relax smooth muscles, namely muscle relaxants;
consumption of food that increases acid production in the stomach.

To avoid harmful effects on the digestive tract, you should stop using antacids. In case of overdose, the level of hydrochloric acid concentration increases sharply. In addition to increased acidity, heartburn also occurs in pregnant women.

Treatment of pathology

If heartburn occurs frequently in pregnant women, it is important to take correct and safe measures. To do this, you need to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations.

First of all, you should adjust your diet. Follow a diet that prohibits pickled, canned and fatty foods.

Eat fractionally and in small portions, this will help reduce the volume of hydrochloric acid synthesis.

During the day, it is recommended to consume a small amount of fennel oil, which protects the gastric mucosa from irritation. Also include hazelnuts, almonds and oatmeal in your diet. It is advisable to avoid stress and lie on your back more often than on your side. To eliminate inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, you need to drink potato juice or jelly.

Drug therapy is prescribed by a gastroenterologist or gynecologist. Medications are prescribed that can relax the sphincter. It is necessary to stop taking antispasmodics. Papaverine is mainly used to treat toxicosis. In this situation, the doctor selects another remedy to avoid complications and similar discomfort.

Diet therapy, which is aimed at inhibiting the synthesis of hydrochloric acid, deserves special attention. Fresh bread and pastries, sour berries, and fatty foods are prohibited. A woman's diet should consist of fresh vegetables and fruits.

The consumption of citrus fruits is limited, as they stimulate the production of gastric secretions. It is advisable to eat more dairy products: sour cream, cottage cheese, cream, butter. It is recommended to boil, stew or bake the meat.

You can also steam dishes.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to ensure that bowel movements occur every day. Food should not be allowed to accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract.

As for antacid medications, they should be prescribed by the attending physician. Basically, Phosphalugel and Smecta are used, which are taken once every three days.

Increased acidity is often observed during exacerbation of gastritis. In this case, a strict diet is required. It is advisable to eat at least six times a day. At the initial stage, milk diet therapy helps a lot, after which steamed fruits and vegetables are included in the diet. Then cheese, meat and various cereals are allowed.

Tea and coffee, smoked meats, confectionery and any spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. In case of exacerbation of the inflammatory process, it is recommended to drink medicinal mineral waters. Antispasmodics, prokinetics and antacids will help reduce acidity.

Prebiotics and enzymes are used to increase secretory activity.

If the acidity is low, herbal tinctures, decoctions based on cumin, fennel, wormwood, thyme, plantain, and parsley are recommended. The following medicinal plants help with high acidity:

Before using traditional medicine, it is necessary to consult with your doctor, since self-medication can significantly harm the condition and aggravate the situation, causing the opposite effect.

If during pregnancy you suffer from increased acidity, heartburn, heaviness and abdominal pain, you need to visit a doctor and consult. All products aimed at normalizing acidity must be prescribed by a doctor.

Causes of increased acidity during pregnancy

The nervous regulation of all vital processes in the body is not realized by a person and occurs reflexively. Contractions of the heart muscle, filling the lungs with air, digestion and evacuation of food are provided by the higher parts of the central nervous system.

In the thickness of the gastric wall there are many glands that secrete mucous, acidic and alkaline secretions, and endocrine cells that produce hormones, ultimately determining the overall level of acidity. Their complex interaction and even quantity is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. The slightest shift in its work destroys that fragile balance, the indicator of which is normal acidity.

Diagnosis of gastritis during pregnancy

Different forms of the disease have some characteristic features that make it possible to determine the clinical picture of the disease. For example, if the secretory activity of the gastric mucosa is increased, the first symptom will be pain that appears in the upper abdomen, as well as under the right rib or around the navel.

Discomfort intensifies after eating spicy or fatty (in general, any food that is difficult for the stomach) food, but can also occur at night or even on an empty stomach. This form of the disease mainly manifests itself in young women and must be treated by suppressing secretory activity in the gastric mucosa.

If gastritis during pregnancy takes the form when the acidity in the stomach is reduced, its symptoms become signs of dyspepsia. In this case, the pain is felt quite moderately, intensifying due to the intake of large amounts of food - the gastric walls are stretched. With such gastritis, it is necessary to take drugs that can improve the secretory activity of the glands.

Mainly due to chronic gastritis, pregnant women suffer from toxicosis, which occurs in a rather severe form. In addition, such toxicosis lasts quite a long time - about 14-17 weeks, and standard treatment does not improve the situation.

Analyzes

A blood test is carried out first - a biochemical study will help determine the level of gastrin concentration in the body. There are procedures that can detect the presence of antibodies in parietal cells, as well as the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

A peripheral blood test will also help diagnose the presence of symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia, which often accompanies gastritis.

To clarify the diagnosis, they study how the disease developed, and they can also perform an endoscopic examination of the stomach. A special machine takes a sample of stomach acid to determine its level. Thanks to the analysis, you can find out the type of disease and determine what treatment is needed.

It is difficult for a pregnant woman to undergo an endoscopic procedure, but if preliminary treatment fails to make a diagnosis, it is necessary to perform it.

Also, if there is a suspicion of gastritis during pregnancy, in addition to blood, you need to have your feces tested for occult blood and urine. Stool is collected to determine if the patient has any unnoticed internal bleeding.

This research method is often used in cases where, in addition to signs of gastritis, a pregnant woman experiences the development of iron deficiency anemia.

Instrumental diagnostics

To diagnose chronic gastritis, the following procedures are performed:

checking the functioning of secretory-motor gastric functions;
fibroendoscopic diagnosis is very valuable and productive, but it is quite burdensome for a pregnant woman, so it should be used only if other methods are ineffective or there are special indications. If the gastritis is minor, gastroscopy will demonstrate the existing moderate swelling, coupled with irritation and inflammation on the damaged mucous membrane. In addition, the technique makes it possible to see focal hyperemia and an increased level of mucus formation. Chronic gastritis during pregnancy, in which there is an increased level of acidity, is often accompanied by erosive disorders on the mucous membrane;
The procedure for X-ray diagnostics of gastritis in a pregnant patient should not be performed, because this method is not very informative, and X-ray radiation will have a negative effect on the child;
The ultrasound method, performed on an empty stomach, will reveal the presence of hypersecretion and excess mucus in the stomach, assess the thickness and condition of all its walls and local inflammation that will appear under the device’s sensor.

Symptoms of increased acidity

burning, heaviness in the stomach;
chest pain;
heartburn and belching with an unpleasant aftertaste;
headaches (due to intoxication).

With increased acidity, the secretion of protective mucus by the gastric walls is reduced, and the burning secretion begins to corrode the mucous membrane. This creates the prerequisites for the development of gastritis and even ulcerative lesions of the esophagus and (or) duodenum. This is why increased acidity is of particular concern to doctors. If it is observed in an expectant mother, the cost of risk increases many times over.

Symptoms of gastritis during pregnancy

In general, gastritis by its nature is not considered a contraindication to pregnancy and childbirth (with some extremely rare exceptions). It does not cause any harm to the baby in the mother’s belly.

Although for the woman herself the process of pregnancy will be quite difficult, since she will be tormented by severe toxicosis, vomiting, and constant heartburn. These symptoms can last the entire 9 months of pregnancy, until the baby is born, which in itself is very unpleasant, although not dangerous to health.

Even if you have not observed any reminders of gastritis for a long time, mechanical movement of organs, changes in hormonal status and other reasons arising from pregnancy can cause an exacerbation of the disease. It can manifest itself in various ways, but there are no signs that would be characteristic specifically for pregnant women with gastritis.

You should be wary if in the first half of the period of bearing a child, early and severe toxicosis is observed, followed by heartburn, a dull nagging pain in the epigastric region, belching with the taste of rotten eggs, problems with stool, vomiting and nausea throughout the day. Also, a gray coating may form on the tongue, and the temperature will rise to 37-38 degrees.

Gastritis during pregnancy with increased acidity occurs with symptoms of hunger, covering the upper abdomen. With a reduced acidity level, constipation, heaviness in the stomach, diarrhea, and bad breath are often observed. All these symptoms intensify if you eat spicy, fatty, salty, fried, sweet foods.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will only need complaints from the patient and reading the medical history. If necessary, gastric juice can be studied for FGS and acidity levels.

First signs

With gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, thereby disrupting its functioning - in such cases, food is poorly digested, resulting in a waste of energy and strength of the entire body. Gastritis can be acute or chronic, with increased, normal and decreased levels of stomach acidity.

Gastritis has many symptoms, but they also may not have any obvious signs. The main manifestation of this disease is pain in the solar plexus area, which can intensify after certain foods, medications, and liquids, especially if they have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane.

If you have gastritis, you should not eat spicy foods or drink soda - they have a bad effect on the stomach, contributing to the erosion of the mucous membrane. Gastritis during pregnancy also has such irregular but important symptoms as vomiting, heartburn, belching, as well as bloating and gas.

If you experience 2 or more of the above symptoms, plus abdominal pain, you should consult a gastroenterologist. He will identify the type of disease and prescribe the necessary treatment - diet, or using medications.

Gastritis during early pregnancy

It has long been known that gastritis during pregnancy often manifests itself from the very beginning in the form of long-term and difficult-to-tolerate toxicosis, so expectant mothers have to look for options that will calm aggravated gastritis and reduce pain and discomfort.

Any foods we eat have a direct impact on gastric function and condition. Thus, if your gastritis has worsened, you will have to strictly control your diet by removing a large number of different foods from it.

Initially, foods that can have an aggressive effect on the mucous membrane of your stomach are prohibited: these are hot, sour, spicy, smoked, salty, fatty, canned foods, as well as too cold or hot foods.

If your diet contains foods that can be classified into any of the above groups, you will have to exclude them from there. In addition, it is prohibited to consume foods containing a large number of carbohydrates, as well as synthetic additives.

Important ! The diet should be based on semi-liquid, natural food, which is prepared in a gentle manner - dairy products, stewed and boiled vegetables, light soups made from vegetables and cereals, omelettes, fruits, soft-boiled eggs, jelly.

What to do if you have high acidity

Serious drug therapy is preceded by an examination period. Its content is determined based on the results of the examination and, above all, on specific indicators of acidity and the condition of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach, and, if necessary, the duodenum.

The doctor determines the consequences of increased acidity and its causes. In most cases in pregnant women, it is situational, caused by hormonal changes. In this case, dietary recommendations and the prescription of drugs to protect the mucous membranes are relevant. These are safe drugs for expectant mothers: Maalox, Gastal and Phosphalugel.

Increased acidity requires diet. The foods and dishes consumed are selected in such a way as not to irritate the gastric mucosa and not provoke the release of an excess portion of hydrochloric acid.

The basis of the diet should be the following dishes:

viscous first courses with well-cooked cereals and soft vegetables, so-called slimy soups, puree soups;
porridge - they are very healthy, as they contain a lot of microelements, they should be boiled, adding milk or cream, and then pureed;
milk-egg mixtures as part of vegetable or fish broths, which have a good enveloping (protective) effect;
lean meats, steamed fish soufflés, omelettes and soft-boiled eggs.

The temperature of food is extremely important, since both cold and hot foods activate special receptors responsible for the release of acid.

Important! It should be remembered that fried foods increase the secretion of gastric juice, while boiled foods reduce it.

Any non-traditional remedy or herbal mixture may contain toxic inclusions or substances with individual intolerance. You should not experiment during pregnancy.

Baking soda is only suitable as an emergency aid and only in extreme cases. Its regular use can lead to atrophic gastritis, which will then have to be treated for many years.

Note! Increased acidity is a contraindication for consuming rose hips. Natural honey, being an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and biologically active product, can cause heartburn in some people.

Increased stomach acidity in pregnant women

A common problem is increased acidity in pregnant women. This pathology is characterized by severe discomfort: it provokes heartburn, nausea, and causes pain in the stomach and pancreas. Therapy when carrying a baby is gentle, so treatment should begin with the first symptoms of the disease.

Reasons for deviations

During pregnancy, 80% of women are diagnosed with increased acidity in the stomach. This deviation usually occurs in the second and third trimesters. Pronounced symptoms appear in the form of attacks, the duration of which is from several minutes to several hours.

In the first months of pregnancy, serious changes occur in the endocrine system, which contribute to the normal growth and development of the fetus. Due to the fact that the child consumes nutrients from the mother's body, the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract also changes.

It is the activation of hormones that in most cases causes an increase in acidity in the early stages.

The digestive system is designed in such a way that between the stomach and the esophagus there is a special round sphincter muscle that does not allow food to “return” back. When the endocrine system changes, smooth muscles are relaxed and food enters the esophagus.

Here the reaction produces hydrochloric acid, which causes heartburn. In later stages, increased acidity appears as a result of an enlarged uterus and its pressure on neighboring organs.

There are also other factors that provoke increased levels of hydrochloric acid:

overeating before bed;
clothes that don’t fit, which pinch the intestines;
muscle relaxants - medications that relax muscles;
eating foods that provoke accelerated production of hydrochloric acid.

If acidity is low, the pH level is increased with antacids

Symptoms of high acidity

With this pathology, a woman may experience heartburn.

Manifestations of excess acid appear gradually and women often attribute some of them to other factors. Increased stomach acidity is accompanied by the following symptoms:

copper taste;
gray coating on the tongue;
feeling of acid in the mouth;
nausea and pain in the stomach after spicy food or carbonated drinks;
heartburn;
bloating;
gas formation;
constant constipation.

Diagnostic measures

To reduce acidity in the stomach, it is necessary to establish its causes. It is possible to get rid of the pathology only after eliminating the etiology. A diagnosis can be made based on a history, examination of symptoms, or laboratory tests.

For analysis, material is collected endoscopically. The acidity level is determined by pH measurement. The method in pregnant women is used only in extreme cases.

Typically, a woman undergoes a urine test, the results of which are based on the reaction of the substance to acetone.

How to reduce acid content?

To eliminate the problem, you need to pay attention to what mom eats.

Only a doctor can determine how to reduce stomach acidity. You cannot try to eliminate the pathology on your own, otherwise you can aggravate the situation or harm the child.

The only thing a pregnant woman can do on her own is to reconsider her diet. If there are no positive results, the doctor prescribes medications or alternative methods, taking into account the patient’s absence of allergic reactions or contraindications.

Medications

Reducing the acid balance through medications is a traditional technique. Pharmacology provides a wide range of products that are approved even when carrying a child.

In the absence of individual contraindications, the doctor may prescribe tablets or suspensions, including Maalox, Almagel, Gastal.

You can also reduce the content of acidic substances in the stomach with drugs that relax the sphincter and relieve spasms.

If a pregnant woman has treated toxicosis with Papaverine, it is recommended that she discontinue it.

Traditional methods

Often the reasons for an increase in the acid balance of the stomach are emotional stress: through constant stimulation of the nervous system, disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract occur. You can eliminate this cause and relieve the manifestations of the pathology yourself if you take the following medications at home:

Peppermint tea helps normalize the secretory function of the digestive organ.

Mint or chamomile tea, with the addition of ginger juice and honey. This remedy improves the digestion of food and normalizes the secretory properties of the stomach.
A decoction of flaxseeds. Normalizes the functioning of the stomach.
Dill tincture. Reduces the level of acidic substances.

If discomfort occurs, you can prepare the following medicine:

Crush the egg shell.
Add a few drops of vitamin D to the pulp.
If there is a sour taste, eat 1-2 spoons with water.

Proper nutrition

A balanced diet significantly reduces acidity. You need to avoid fatty, fried foods, carbonated drinks and citrus fruits. A pregnant woman with this disorder is recommended to increase her intake of the following foods:

low fat dairy products;
still mineral water;
porridge cooked in milk;
honey in small quantities.