Acidity
Heartburn is a health problem that many people experience, usually caused by gastroesophageal reflux, the acid reflux of the stomach outside the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and discomfort, especially after eating. Gastroesophageal reflux is caused by weakness of the heart valve muscle, which prevents gastric acid reflux and digestion of food to the esophagus.
Acidity can occur as a result of a diaphragm hernia, and this occurs when a part of the stomach is pushed through the diaphragm towards the chest. Burning is also common in pregnancy, as progesterone relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.
Symptoms of acidity during pregnancy
Symptoms of acidity during pregnancy include:
Causes of stomach acidity
There are some cases that increase the chances of gastroesophageal reflux and gastric acidity, including:
- Excessive eating: Eating a large amount of food leads to stomach bulge and does not close the valve that prevents food reflux into the esophagus tightly.
- Eat very quickly and do not chew well.
- Eat in a lying position.
- Eat just before bedtime.
- Smoking.
- Excessive weight gain.
- Take some medications, such as medications used to treat asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, anxiety, insomnia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, muscle spasm, and cancer.
- Exercising some types of exercise, such as weight lifting, may increase pressure on the abdominal area, thus increasing the risk of esophageal reflux.
- Eat some foods that increase the problems of acidity, including:
- citrus fruits.
- Tomatoes.
- Onions and garlic.
- The food is spicy.
- Mint: Peppermint increases the chances of acidity, because it relaxes the sphincter muscles between the stomach and esophagus, allowing the stomach acids to flow to the esophagus.
- Cheeses, nuts, and avocados: These foods are high in fat, which slows digestion and increases pressure on the esophageal muscle of the esophagus.
- Alcohol.
- Drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, soft drinks, and tea.
- Chocolates.
Eliminate the problem of acidity during pregnancy
To reduce the problem Acidity of the stomach Without harming the child, it is recommended that:
- Eat several small meals during the day instead of three large meals.
- Eat slowly.
- Avoid foods high in fat, spices, and pans.
- Do not take too much fluids while eating.
- Avoid eating directly before bedtime.
- Raise the head so that it is slightly higher than the body during sleep to relieve food reflux into the esophagus.
- Wear loose clothing; because tight clothes increase pressure on the abdominal area and stomach.
- Avoid constipation.
- Use safe analgesics during pregnancy, and consult your doctor when the condition persists.
- Chewing gum after eating; chewing gum stimulates salivary glands to secret saliva, which helps to neutralize acid.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- stop smoking.
- Sleep on the left side of the body; because it reduces esophageal reflux.
- Avoid bending after eating directly.
- Bends properly, bending the knees rather than bending at the waist.
- Eating yogurt, or drinking a glass of milk may help relieve heartburn symptoms.
- Eat almonds and cucumber.
- Examine the drugs used by pregnant women and replace them with other drugs if they cause acidity.
Foods that reduce acidity
Foods that reduce acidity and heartburn are food that has a low acidity. When you buy products from the store, you must check the pH; if the pH is five or more, it means the food is low in acidity. Here are the most important foods that are low in acidity:
- Watermelon, and melons.
- the banana.
- Shumer.
- oatmeal.
- Poultry and lean meat.
- Bread, especially bread made from whole grains.
- Potatoes, and all kinds of other root vegetables, except onions.
- Green vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, green beans, celery, cauliflower.
- parsley.
- Aloe vera cactus.
- Egg whites, while yolk may cause acidity.
- Ginger, treats stomach disorders and relieves esophageal reflux.
- Brown rice and couscous; because both are complex carbohydrates that help to relieve esophageal reflux.
Diagnosis of stomach acidity
The doctor can diagnose the acidity of the stomach through the following tests:
- Endoscopy: A binocular is used to examine the esophagus and stomach, and a biopsy can be examined to confirm the extent of damage to the esophagus and stomach.
- X-ray gastrointestinal imaging to detect the presence of gastrointestinal disorders.
- PH test: This test measures acidity in the esophagus through a small tube that passes through the nose to the stomach.
Complementary therapy
There are conflicting views on the efficacy of supplemental treatment to eliminate acidity. If there is a desire to use a complementary treatment method, an experienced therapist should be chosen for this type of treatment. Supplementary therapies include:
- Acupuncture and Acupuncture : This type of treatment depends on the selection of certain points in the body and acupuncture, or pressure on the fingers to improve the symptoms of acidity, and the use of needles during acupuncture treatment urges the body to release natural painkillers (endorphins) in the body, which leads to the alleviation of symptoms.
- Aromatherapy : Four drops of lemon oil, orange oil, or orange blossom oil can be added to a teaspoon of grape seed oil, massage the chest and upper back, or put the mixture in a hot tub and inhaling vapors to relieve the symptoms of acidity.
- Homeopathic treatment, or hygienic medicine : It is an alternative medical treatment aimed at strengthening the natural immunity of humans, and depends on the principle that the body knows how to combat diseases and must help him to balance to enable him to heal himself, just as renews the tissue of the body itself. The goal of this type of treatment is to strengthen the natural immunity of the person and not to treat the symptoms.)
- Orthodontic treatment : The treatment promotes public health and confirms the relationship between body, nerves, muscles, bones, and various body organs.