New Delhi, March 31 (IANS). The problem of excessive acid production (hyperacidity) in the stomach during pregnancy is quite common and almost every second woman has to face it. It causes problems like burning sensation in the stomach or throat, sour belching, sour taste in the mouth for a long time, nausea or feeling like vomiting. Sometimes it feels as if the burning sensation in the chest is coming upwards till the throat.
This happens because there are hormonal changes during pregnancy, due to which the digestion process slows down and the stomach acid starts rising. As the pregnancy grows, the pressure on the stomach also increases, due to which this problem can become more felt.
In such a situation, the most important thing is to pay attention to your daily routine and diet. Try to eat food on time and do not remain hungry for too long, because remaining on an empty stomach increases acidity. It is better to take light and easily digestible food like porridge, khichdi, boiled vegetables etc. Cooling things like coconut water, buttermilk and simple food provide a lot of relief. It is also important to drink adequate amount of water throughout the day. This improves digestion and reduces acidity. Also, it is very important to get good sleep, because lack of sleep also affects the digestion process of the body.
It is equally important to avoid some habits. For example, avoid lying down immediately after eating food, because this causes the acid to come upwards. It is beneficial to take a short walk after eating. It is considered better to lie on the left side while sleeping, because it helps in digestion and reduces acidity. Keep away from oily, spicy, sour, salty and packaged or preserved foods, as these things can increase acidity.
Some easy home remedies can also provide relief in this problem, like mixing cloves, amla and a little sugar, soak it in water overnight and filter it in the morning and drink it little by little, this provides relief from stomach irritation. Similarly, taking celery (or fennel seeds) powder mixed with sugar in water can also be beneficial.
However, if the symptoms increase significantly or some serious signs appear like severe pain in the upper abdomen, severe pain when hungry, vomiting blood or black colored stools, then do not take it lightly. In such a situation, it is important to immediately contact a doctor, because it can be a sign of some serious problem.
–IANS
PIM/AS
