Pregnancy and Silent Reflux: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
When you're pregnant, your body releases a hormone called progesterone that relaxes the muscles in the stomach. Progesterone also causes an increase in stomach acid, which is why some pregnant women experience heartburn or acid reflux. Silent reflux, formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is when food and stomach acid from the oesophagus leak back up into the throat, mouth and nose. It affects about 25% of pregnant women and can lead to serious health concerns for mom and baby. Here are some ways to prevent silent reflux during pregnancy.
The symptoms of silent reflux
Silent reflux often produces some of the same symptoms as heartburn, such as a burning sensation in the chest and trouble swallowing. Other symptoms include coughing, nasal congestion, hoarseness, dry throat and trouble breathing.
Some pregnant women don't experience any symptoms of silent reflux until after delivery. This is because pregnant women often have a relaxed oesophagus during pregnancy. However, once your baby is delivered and your uterus shrinks back to its normal size and position, your oesophagus may become more sensitive to stomach acid again.
Treatment and prevention
If you experience silent reflux during pregnancy, you should try to manage the discomfort and prevent it from worsening. If you're experiencing nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing, talk to your doctor about prescribing medication for acid reflux or heartburn. You can also start taking over-the-counter antacids such as Tums or Rolaids.
You could also try changing your diet by eating smaller meals that are low in fat and calories and avoiding foods high in sugar or acidity. But be careful not to eat too often because this could lead to indigestion which is a form of silent reflux.
Dietary changes might not be enough so talk with your doctor about other treatment options such as surgery or medications. Surgery involves permanently closing the valve at the end of the oesophagus while medications use drugs to reduce stomach acid production and ease symptoms such as heartburn, pain, nausea and vomiting.
Diet and exercise guidelines
1) Eat smaller meals more often.
2) Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal.
4) Avoid foods that trigger reflux, such as spicy and fatty foods.
5) Try eating your last meal at least three hours before bedtime.
6) Exercise regularly to help strengthen your stomach muscles.
7) Sleep on your left side when possible to prevent acid from flowing back up into your throat while you sleep.
8) Consider taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
Medication as a treatment option
One way to treat silent reflux is with medication. Most doctors will prescribe a proton pump inhibitor, like Nexium or Prilosec, which reduces the amount of stomach acid in your system. Some people take PPIs on a daily basis while others only take them when they experience symptoms. The most common side effects are diarrhoea and headache.
Conclusion
Silent reflux is a common condition that affects many pregnant women. It can cause irritation of the oesophagus, heartburn and other symptoms that can make pregnancy more difficult.
Fortunately, there are many ways to both prevent and treat silent reflux. Doctors recommend that pregnant women take acid-blocking medications if they have severe symptoms. For milder cases, a change in diet and lifestyle can help.
Silent reflux is a serious condition that requires professional attention. If you’re experiencing symptoms of silent reflux, consult your doctor for advice on how to get relief.
When you're pregnant, your body releases a hormone called progesterone that relaxes the muscles in the stomach. Progesterone also causes an increase in stomach acid, which is why some pregnant women experience heartburn or acid reflux. Silent reflux, formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is when food and stomach acid from the oesophagus leak back up into the throat, mouth and nose. It affects about 25% of pregnant women and can lead to serious health concerns for mom and baby. Here are some ways to prevent silent reflux during pregnancy.
The symptoms of silent reflux
Silent reflux often produces some of the same symptoms as heartburn, such as a burning sensation in the chest and trouble swallowing. Other symptoms include coughing, nasal congestion, hoarseness, dry throat and trouble breathing.
Some pregnant women don't experience any symptoms of silent reflux until after delivery. This is because pregnant women often have a relaxed oesophagus during pregnancy. However, once your baby is delivered and your uterus shrinks back to its normal size and position, your oesophagus may become more sensitive to stomach acid again.
Treatment and prevention
If you experience silent reflux during pregnancy, you should try to manage the discomfort and prevent it from worsening. If you're experiencing nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing, talk to your doctor about prescribing medication for acid reflux or heartburn. You can also start taking over-the-counter antacids such as Tums or Rolaids.
You could also try changing your diet by eating smaller meals that are low in fat and calories and avoiding foods high in sugar or acidity. But be careful not to eat too often because this could lead to indigestion which is a form of silent reflux.
Dietary changes might not be enough so talk with your doctor about other treatment options such as surgery or medications. Surgery involves permanently closing the valve at the end of the oesophagus while medications use drugs to reduce stomach acid production and ease symptoms such as heartburn, pain, nausea and vomiting.
Diet and exercise guidelines
1) Eat smaller meals more often.
2) Avoid lying down for three hours after a meal.
4) Avoid foods that trigger reflux, such as spicy and fatty foods.
5) Try eating your last meal at least three hours before bedtime.
6) Exercise regularly to help strengthen your stomach muscles.
7) Sleep on your left side when possible to prevent acid from flowing back up into your throat while you sleep.
8) Consider taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
Medication as a treatment option
One way to treat silent reflux is with medication. Most doctors will prescribe a proton pump inhibitor, like Nexium or Prilosec, which reduces the amount of stomach acid in your system. Some people take PPIs on a daily basis while others only take them when they experience symptoms. The most common side effects are diarrhoea and headache.
Conclusion
Silent reflux is a common condition that affects many pregnant women. It can cause irritation of the oesophagus, heartburn and other symptoms that can make pregnancy more difficult.
Fortunately, there are many ways to both prevent and treat silent reflux. Doctors recommend that pregnant women take acid-blocking medications if they have severe symptoms. For milder cases, a change in diet and lifestyle can help.
Silent reflux is a serious condition that requires professional attention. If you’re experiencing symptoms of silent reflux, consult your doctor for advice on how to get relief.