HEARTBURN IN PREGNANCY

RELIEF MEASURES AND NATURAL REMEDIES

            Heartburn is caused by the hormones of pregnancy that slow digestion, and the pressure on your stomach by the growing fetus.  Please consult with your provider before using any herbal/medicinal remedies.  Here are some suggestions that can help relieve this common complaint, but please consult with your provider before beginning any treatments or following any advice:

            -           Avoid foods that trigger discomfort, such as those that are highly processed and refined, loaded with sugar, white flour and saturated or partially hydrogenated fat, hot or very   spicy dishes, coffee (even decaffeinated) and other forms of caffeine, milk and milk products, alcohol, cigarettes and certain medications like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin); bland, pure and simple minimally processed foods are usually better tolerated – eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein (like skinned turkey or chicken, fish, eggs and tofu), beans, seeds, and nuts (like raw almonds, cashews and filberts); use only healthy monounsaturated oil (like olive or canola) and drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.

            -           Eat 6 or more small meals rather than 3 large ones each day, and try to remain upright or walk around and be active afterwards to aid digestion; squat down instead of bending over if you need to pick up something from the ground.

            -           Eat slowly and chew everything well, ideally while sitting down, relaxed and free of internal tension.

            -           Avoid wearing tight constrictive clothing, bending over, lying flat or going to sleep during the first hour after eating.

            -           Sleep propped up with extra pillows to slightly elevate your upper body or sleep on your left side.  It helps to lift your arms up over your head – you can lean them back against the propped up pillows while you sleep.

            -           Maintain a good straight posture when sitting or standing.

            -           Periodically throughout the day take several minute breaks to center and calm yourself, such as simply focusing your attention on your breath, practicing meditation, progressive muscle tension release, or yoga; a great breathing exercise to do before rising in the morning, going to sleep at night, and whenever you feel internal stress and tension is to exhale slowing with an audible sigh, then breath in slowing with your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7,  exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8, then repeat a few more cycles for a minute or two.

            -           If heartburn occurs,  some women find relief using the “flying exercise”, by sitting crossed legged or tailor style and raising and lowering your arms quickly, joining the back of your hands over your head.  Also, it is very helpful to get into a knees in chest position (start out with hands and knees) for temporary relief of this condition. 

            -           Drink lots of chamomile tea, and alternate with peppermint tea and see which helps more with relieving your symptoms.

            -           Try papaya enzyme tablets after meals (sold at most health food stores) or fresh papaya fruit or juice.

            -           You can also try slippery elm to soothe the irritated tissues of the intestinal tract  (1 teaspoon powder mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey in 2 cups of boiling water and drink once or twice a day, or suck on the lozenges sold in most health food stores; it also comes in tea form which you can drink frequently.

            -           Consider consulting a homeopath for a remedy specific to your symptoms of indigestion like Kali Mur, Nux Vomica, or Pulsatilla; or try Weleeda’s Coleodorin 7-10 drops 4 times per day  as needed  and Triplex tea.

            -           Osteopathy and acupuncture are also helpful especially for stubborn cases; ask us for referrals of experienced practitioners.

            -           You may take chewable calcium carbonate known in drug stores as Tums, but no more than 16 per day; avoid antacids with high sodium or phosphorus, such as Rolaids, Alka Seltzer and Sodium Bicarbonate, and those with aluminum or magnesium by themselves; if the above remedies do not help, Mylanta, Maalox, or Riopan are OK if used only OCCASSIONALLY and as directed, as frequent or prolonged use can cause serious electrolyte imbalances, interfere with digestion of food and the absorption of important nutrients such as iron, contribute to kidney stone formation and actually cause the stomach to produce even more acid than before

            Please call your provider if your heartburn is severe or persistent and is not relieved by the above suggestions.

HEARTBURN IN PREGNANCY

RELIEF MEASURES AND NATURAL REMEDIES

            Heartburn is caused by the hormones of pregnancy that slow digestion, and the pressure on your stomach by the growing fetus.  Please consult with your provider before using any herbal/medicinal remedies.  Here are some suggestions that can help relieve this common complaint, but please consult with your provider before beginning any treatments or following any advice:

            -           Avoid foods that trigger discomfort, such as those that are highly processed and refined, loaded with sugar, white flour and saturated or partially hydrogenated fat, hot or very   spicy dishes, coffee (even decaffeinated) and other forms of caffeine, milk and milk products, alcohol, cigarettes and certain medications like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin); bland, pure and simple minimally processed foods are usually better tolerated – eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein (like skinned turkey or chicken, fish, eggs and tofu), beans, seeds, and nuts (like raw almonds, cashews and filberts); use only healthy monounsaturated oil (like olive or canola) and drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.

            -           Eat 6 or more small meals rather than 3 large ones each day, and try to remain upright or walk around and be active afterwards to aid digestion; squat down instead of bending over if you need to pick up something from the ground.

            -           Eat slowly and chew everything well, ideally while sitting down, relaxed and free of internal tension.

            -           Avoid wearing tight constrictive clothing, bending over, lying flat or going to sleep during the first hour after eating.

            -           Sleep propped up with extra pillows to slightly elevate your upper body or sleep on your left side.  It helps to lift your arms up over your head – you can lean them back against the propped up pillows while you sleep.

            -           Maintain a good straight posture when sitting or standing.

            -           Periodically throughout the day take several minute breaks to center and calm yourself, such as simply focusing your attention on your breath, practicing meditation, progressive muscle tension release, or yoga; a great breathing exercise to do before rising in the morning, going to sleep at night, and whenever you feel internal stress and tension is to exhale slowing with an audible sigh, then breath in slowing with your nose for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7,  exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8, then repeat a few more cycles for a minute or two.

            -           If heartburn occurs,  some women find relief using the “flying exercise”, by sitting crossed legged or tailor style and raising and lowering your arms quickly, joining the back of your hands over your head.  Also, it is very helpful to get into a knees in chest position (start out with hands and knees) for temporary relief of this condition. 

            -           Drink lots of chamomile tea, and alternate with peppermint tea and see which helps more with relieving your symptoms.

            -           Try papaya enzyme tablets after meals (sold at most health food stores) or fresh papaya fruit or juice.

            -           You can also try slippery elm to soothe the irritated tissues of the intestinal tract  (1 teaspoon powder mixed with 1 teaspoon of honey in 2 cups of boiling water and drink once or twice a day, or suck on the lozenges sold in most health food stores; it also comes in tea form which you can drink frequently.

            -           Consider consulting a homeopath for a remedy specific to your symptoms of indigestion like Kali Mur, Nux Vomica, or Pulsatilla; or try Weleeda’s Coleodorin 7-10 drops 4 times per day  as needed  and Triplex tea.

            -           Osteopathy and acupuncture are also helpful especially for stubborn cases; ask us for referrals of experienced practitioners.

            -           You may take chewable calcium carbonate known in drug stores as Tums, but no more than 16 per day; avoid antacids with high sodium or phosphorus, such as Rolaids, Alka Seltzer and Sodium Bicarbonate, and those with aluminum or magnesium by themselves; if the above remedies do not help, Mylanta, Maalox, or Riopan are OK if used only OCCASSIONALLY and as directed, as frequent or prolonged use can cause serious electrolyte imbalances, interfere with digestion of food and the absorption of important nutrients such as iron, contribute to kidney stone formation and actually cause the stomach to produce even more acid than before

            Please call your provider if your heartburn is severe or persistent and is not relieved by the above suggestions.