Aggravation of heartburn | Medicines for heartburn

Aggravation of heartburn

Alcohol and smoking lead to an increased production of stomach acid. Therefore, they can significantly increase the symptoms of heartburn. They also promote a slackening of the sphincter muscle of the stomach, so that the stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus even more easily.

People who suffer from heartburn should therefore definitely avoid alcohol and smoking. Spicy food irritates the stomach walls. The result is an increase in acid production and consequently the development or worsening of heartburn.

Instead, affected persons should choose mild foods that bind the acid in the stomach rather than promoting increased acid production. Unfortunately, many women are affected by heartburn during pregnancy. The reason for this is that the growing child takes up more and more space in the mother’s abdomen over time and thus also puts pressure on the stomach.

The gastric acid is thereby more easily pushed up and can pass into the esophagus. In addition, certain hormones cause the muscles at the entrance to the stomach to relax. This also makes it easier for acid to pass into the esophagus.

Towards the end of pregnancy, heartburn becomes a more common problem, depending on the height of the child.Pregnant women can try to relieve the symptoms by using the above mentioned home remedies. If this does not bring the desired relief, drugs against heartburn can also be taken during pregnancy. Mild complaints can be temporarily treated with an antacid or an H2-blocker, which neutralize the stomach acid as described, or reduce its production.

Persistent and severe symptoms can also be treated with a proton pump inhibitor. During pregnancy, the preparation omeprazole is preferred. However, all non-drug treatment measures should be tried out before using medication.

It is always better to avoid medication during pregnancy if the woman’s state of health permits. Many women also resort to homeopathic remedies for heartburn or acupressure, or acupuncture. These alternative procedures can also contribute to a relevant alleviation of symptoms for some women.

An easily digestible, balanced and healthy diet is particularly important to prevent heartburn during pregnancy. If general dietary and everyday tips are followed (stress reduction, sufficient drinking, eating small meals), heartburn during pregnancy occurs much less frequently. During pregnancy, not all medications should be taken, because they enter the child’s bloodstream via the mother’s blood and the placenta and are or can be harmful to the child.

Not permitted during pregnancy and lactation are drugs from the group of proton pump inhibitors, or PPI for short. Drugs from the group of antacids are harmless if they do not contain aluminium. It is advisable to use preparations containing calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate.

Drugs from the group of H2-blockers and their effect on the unborn child have been sufficiently investigated, there is no negative influence on the child. Nevertheless, H2-blockers should only be used during pregnancy if antacids cannot sufficiently improve the symptoms. Ranitidine should be used preferably, because this is where most experience of use in pregnancy is available. Of course, herbal medicines for heartburn can also be used during pregnancy: Chamomile, liquorice root, angelica or bow flower are recommended as teas, for example.