Heartburn is that burning sensation behind the breastbone which can radiate up to the throat. But when you reached for that second helping of lasagna or onion rings or whatever tasted so good, it didn’t enter your mind. Heartburn or acid reflux begins it churning and burning after you have left the dinner table. Heartburn can even cause a chronic cough, created by the acid reflux entering the lungs. If you have heartburn only occasionally, it shouldn’t be a concern. Just learning what you can eat and not eat, and exercising will power will be enough to subdue the symptoms. But if you ignore the symptoms and begin to experience heartburn two or more times a week, you can develop serious medical conditions.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is the result of the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to keep the stomach’s contents in the stomach. This muscle acts as a valve at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach, opening when food is swallowed and closing again. When the lower sphincter muscle (LES) malfunctions, the gastric acid from the digestion process enters the esophagus, irritating the lining of the esophagus. The stomach’s lining is meant to produce and handle the gastric acid, but the more delicate lining of the esophagus is burned. Part of the gastric acid consists of naturally-produced hydrochloric acid, which you may remember from chemistry class as a highly corrosive compound that has major industrial uses. After all, it isn’t easy breaking down ingested food into the nutrients needed by your body. Although the condition is called heartburn, it has nothing to do with the heart, except for being located close to it. Heart problems can also cause a burning sensation, but it would be completely unrelated to acid reflux. Chest pain should always be evaluated by your doctor.

The Causes of Heartburn

Just another reason to stop smoking !

The reasons are unclear why some people are more susceptible to acid reflux than others. But certain factors are known to contribute to heartburn. The list below are some of the most common causes of  heartburn:

• Obesity puts additional pressure on the stomach.
• Hiatal hernias allow acid reflux to enter the esophagus.
• Smoking irritates the lining of the stomach, increasing acid production while also relaxing the sphincter muscle.
• Tight clothing can exert pressure on the stomach.
• Lying down within three hours of eating.
• Eating a large meal.

Heartburn can be caused by certain foods:

• Spicy foods
• Tomato-based foods
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits
• Caffeine or alcohol in drinks
• Mint
• Onions and garlic
• Fried foods

Symptoms of Heartburn

Heartburn symptoms include substernal pain or burning sensation in the upper chest area, often spreading into the esophagus and further to the upper back and shoulders and is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric juice into the esophagus causing gastric reflux leaving a feeling of a lump there, sometimes lasting for days after the initial heartburn has ended.

Wikipedia differentiates between the symptoms of classic heartburn and related conditions: “The terms dyspepsia and indigestion are often used interchangeably with heartburn, though some sources emphasize a distinction. Dyspepsia is defined as a combination of epigastric pain and heartburn. Heartburn is commonly used interchangeably with gastroesophageal reflux disease rather than just to describe a symptom of burning in one’s chest.”

It’s also important to differentiate between simple heartburn and the life-threatening chest pains associated with cardiac disease, which are very similar. If you suspect this condition, please seek immediate help at the nearest hospital emergency room or call a paramedic.

A classic symptom of heartburn and attendant gastroesophageal reflux also includes a bitter taste in the mouth, the regurgitation of undigested or partially digested food. These symptoms are also associated with nausea with chest pains extremely similar to cardiac chest pains – often a prelude to congestive heart failure, or heart attack.

Heartburn symptoms are usually worse after eating, especially after fatty, spicy or acidic food – can be made worse by bending over or lying down, so no matter what treatment protocol is recommended, staying in an upright position until medication is administered.

Chronic or frequent recurrence is usually a sign that the patient may have gastroesophagal reflux disease (GERD). Although advanced states of this condition may have serious consequences, patients with heartburn and regurgitation issues rarely cause hospital admission or death.

Heartburn list of symptoms includes:

• Burning in upper chest, throat, breastbone, upper back

• Acid reflux

• Nausea/vomiting

• Halitosis

• Flatulence

• Abdominal distention

• Bloating

• Belching

• Incontinence

• Diarrhea

• Jaundice

There are other smaller and uncommon symptoms, but if this condition persists, as always a consultation with a doctor specializing in gastroenterology would be wise.

Treatment for Heartburn

Once that burning sensation begins, you will probably start looking for heartburn treatments.  Fortunately, the symptoms of heartburn can be relieved by several different types of treatment medications:

• Antacids subdue symptoms in mild cases. Tums®, Alka-Seltzer® and Maalox® are some well-known brand names which will neutralize gastric acids. However, they are only effective for a short time.

• H2 blockers can decrease acid production. Pepcid AC® and Zantac 75® are two brand names in this group.

• Foaming agents cover the stomach with foam and prevent acid reflux. Gaviscon® is a popular brand name of this type.

• Proton pump inhibitors stop the production of gastric acids and also heal damaged tissue in the esophagus. Prilosec® is an over-the-counter brand name and Nexium® is available with a prescription.

• Prokinetics are a prescription drug which can help strengthen the sphincter muscle and move food faster through the stomach. This class of drugs does have drawbacks, such as depression, sleepiness, and fatigue. Also, physical movement may be affected.

In addition, home heartburn treatments include raising the head of your bed a few inches, sleeping with your upper body elevated on pillows, and eating several smaller meals throughout the day instead of harder-to-digest large meals. Many people believe milk is a good antidote to acid reflux, but it actually stimulates more acid production and the heartburn returns, usually more severe.

Your best route to finding relief from heartburn is to use the proper medications and make some lifestyle changes. If you find that you are experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week, you should consult your doctor to avoid developing GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The price of overindulgence is too high when it comes to heartburn.

written by, Joy Seeman

© 2009 H.I.C

Sources:

Heartburn. (2009, June 23). Retrieved November 16, 2009, from Mayo Clinic:

Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). (2007, May). NDDIC.

Heartburn/GERD Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2009, from WebMD:

Can Stool Testing Help Chronic Digestive Issues?  You bet it can!  Diseases of the human digestive system are a painful reality to many people every day. Over 50 million people currently suffer from debilitating digestive system diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. Other people with various digestive symptoms such as hemorrhoids, acid reflux, gerd, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, painful bowel movements, indigestion, blood or mucous in the stool, irregular stools, gas and bloating know that they greatly diminish their quality of life. Most people have seen at least their regular doctor and one or two G.I. specialists before seeking out help from a Nutritionist to see if nutritional therapy may help.

In Clinical Nutrition, the focus is on a few main areas when dealing with chronic digestive symptoms. Usually, food sensitivities are considered first, using either an elimination diet or Food Antibody Testing.  We look at what foods the person is eating regularly and which ones they may be sensitive or reacting to.  A food sensitivity is different from an actual food allergy.  After identification of food reactions, all offending foods (any foods that cause an immune system reaction), must be removed from the diet in order for healing to begin. The amount of time these foods must be avoided depends on many factors. Read my article on Food Allergies and Sensitivities for more on this important subject.

The other important area to focus on, and the one that pertains more to this article is assessing the biochemical status of the digestive system. Digestive stool testing can help to figure out what is going on biochemically in the gut. It also helps the health practitioner to determine how to get the gut back into balance. Digestive Stool testing is a valuable tool to assess digestive health issues in people with chronic or acute digestive system problems. Using a high quality specialty lab and an experienced health practitioner, this testing can oftentimes steer you toward the solution by giving you a picture of what is going on the gut. Stool testing can help to evaluate digestion and absorption, it can give you clues as to what foods and nutrients you are digesting and absorbing well, and what you need assistance with, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals or fats. It can also show you the bacterial balance in the gut as well as gut metabolism, yeast (including Candida), parasites and immune status. Certain stool tests are helpful for differential diagnosis between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable  Bowel Syndrome) as they calculate inflammatory markers found in the stool. The Genova Diagnostics CDSA 2.0 analyzes

Anyone having chronic or acute digestive issues including indigestion, malabsorption, undigested food in the stool, nutrient deficiencies despite a healthy diet,  diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, fissures, ulcers, reflux, gas, bloating after or between meals and most other GI-related problems should consider finding an experienced health care practitioner and taking a stool test. There are quite a few labs now that specialize in stool testing and many different stool tests from which to choose. Your Doctor or Nutritionist should be able to help you choose the correct test based on your symptoms. It is very important that you choose your lab carefully, especially if you are trying to do this without hiring a well informed Doctor or Nutritionist. If you really want answers, make sure to use a lab that specializes in stool, nutritional, and metabolic testing. Many people have routine stool testing done when they go to the emergency room with acute diarrhea or when they first see their GI Doctor for any of the chronic or acute GI symptoms. These test often times show nothing detected. Yet the person still has all the symptoms. I usually recommend that they test again, using a specialty lab.

Jacob Teitelbaum, a world renown Internist and specialist in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, and Author of the book “From Fatigued to Fantastic – The complete guide to overcoming chronic exhaustion, achiness, brain fog, poor sleep, decreased sex drive and recurrent infections”,[i] says in his book that “most lab technicians have less than one hour of training in looking for parasites …..(he goes on to say)…in fact a gastroenterologist friend once noted that during a bowel exam he noted a large number of parasites swimming in the patient’s bowel, yet when he sent a sample for confirmation and identification, it came back negative.” I have also seen many of my clients who walk in with stool tests done by a regular lab showing no pathogens. When we retest using a specialty lab, the results oftentimes show bacterial imbalance, yeast, microbes and low levels of beneficial bacteria like acidophilus and bifidus.  Doing the correct stool testing can take a lot of time and requires well trained lab staff and cutting edge techniques. It is usually pretty expensive, but it’s worth it if it means an answer to an unresolved, chronic GI problem that is greatly diminishing a person’s quality of life.

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum

Dr. Teitlebaum says in his book, that he mails samples to Genova Diagnostic Labs and the Parasitology Center. I have used Genova Diagnostics Labs digestive stool tests for over 15 years in my practice and I have consistently received answers to my client’s health issues, along with a medical or nutritional solution for them. In doing research for this article, and in working with the Autistic and ADD/ADHD pediatric clients, as well as adults with chronic digestive issues, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia, I recently contacted Metametrix Labs to open an account. They have taken stool testing even further by using DNA methods to detect pathogens in the stool. They also do an organic acid profile which certain other labs also provide, that tests for the presence of chemical markers in the urine that would indicate certain pathogens in the digestive system. For example, yeast, parasites and bacteria each create different chemical byproducts in the urine. This lab looks promising from what I have read and seen from clients coming in to work on diet issues, with this test already done by their biomedical or DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) Doctors. Working with a practitioner experienced in nutritional testing will help you to decide which lab and test to use.

Juli Keene, B.S.c, CN

What I see most often in test results from clients with chronic G.I. symptoms, is a clinical picture caused by past overuse of antibiotics along with a poor diet of refined foods, sugars and low nutrient levels, and antacid use, which can leave the digestive system lacking the beneficial bacteria it needs to protect itself. Overuse of antacids can cause the gut to be too alkaline which stops the pain from indigestion and reflux in the short run but causes more problems in the end. This perfect storm of actions allows unhealthy or possibly pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria to increase and take over. Once this happens the mucosal lining of the gut can become inflamed, damaged and even “leaky”. Leaky Gut Syndrome or Intestinal Permeability means the gut lining has become so run down and ripped up by pathogenic yeast like Candida and bacteria or occasionally parasites that molecules of partially digested foods are able to pass into the blood stream and the immune system becomes active as it sees these food molecules as unwanted invaders. The immune system then begins to see the foods eaten regularly (usually favorite foods) as a threat to the body and builds up antibodies to the food molecules getting into the blood stream. This immune response can cause symptoms commonly seen with food sensitivitiesand most of the digestive issues mentioned above. Once in awhile we see a bad case of bacterial infection or parasites like Blastocystis Hominis, Cryptosporidium or a Proteus species, gram- negative bacteria, but most of the time it is this cycle of low healthy bacteria, overuse of antibiotics, antacids and an unhealthy gut mucosal lining that causes most of the chronic problems. Most people take these tests envisioning a giant worm from articles they read or stories they hear. This is usually not the case.

A good quality stool test will test for sensitivities (called MIC’s) to any pathogen it finds. A small amount of any pathogen found in the stool is tested against each of many prescription medications and natural agents like Oregano Oil, Caprylic Acid and Berberine to see which one is most effective in killing the pathogen.

It usually takes diet therapy and repair of the gut mucosal lining and bacterial balance in order to resolve most chronic gut imbalances. Many times medications like anti-fungal agents are used. This something your nutrition savvy Doctor can decide.  Your gut is like a garden. It must be kept clean of pests, planted with healthy flora, given nutrients and kept in the proper PH. The first step toward healing is an accurate picture of what is going on.

After selection and completion of the right test, and identification of the digestive imbalances, a protocol is implemented to bring the system back into balance. Usually this involves the correct probiotics (healthy bacteria), digestive enzymes, prescription medicine or herbal anti-viral, anti-bacterial or anti-fungal and other vitamins, amino acids and nutrients to support the healthy balance of the digestive system.

Buyer Beware: Oftentimes people suffering from digestive issues, find an internet survey or answer a few questions, and buy a product for Candida, parasites, a huge worm, or the alleged 20 pounds of fecal material that is supposedly “trapped” in their intestines causing all of their digestive distress. Be wary of what you read on the internet, including this and most other articles. Look for citations and the background on the person writing it. Make sure they are not a supplement manufacturer or self- proclaimed expert with no education trying to sell you a product (like a colon cleanse). Chances are this will make you feel even worse. Not everyone has Candida or parasites and it is doubtful anyone with these chronic digestive issues has a giant worm or 20 pounds of fecal material in their colon curable with a week of fasting and a bottle of herbs. Also with many of these digestive symptoms, adding a bulky fiber and herbs with laxative properties will usually make you feel worse if your gut lining is already irritated.  While the internet is an amazing source of information, remember to get more than one opinion. Look for well-balanced, credible websites and blogs and listen to experts and not salespeople. When in doubt, consult with an expert and do the testing you need.

Juli Keene, B.S.c, CN

JKnutrition@earthink.net

www.JuliKeene.com (Official Website)

julikeene@julikeene.com

(310) 376-5400

[i]J.E. Teitelbaum From Fatigued to Fantastic – The complete guide to overcoming chronic exhaustion, achiness, brain fog, poor sleep, decreased sex drive and recurrent infections (New York, NY: Penguin Group Publishing 2007 3^rd revision.)

Metametrix.com

GenovaDX.com

Bleeding in the digestive tract is always a serious matter and can be the result of various conditions. Some causes can be life-threatening, but most conditions can be cured or controlled, such as hemorrhoids and ulcers. If bleeding occurs in the digestive tract, it is critical to find the source of the bleeding. Bleeding can occur anywhere in one or more areas of the gastrointestinal system, consisting of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus. The bleeding can be hidden (occult or not visible to the human eye), but stool tests can identify it. Depending on whether the location of the bleeding is higher or lower in the tract, the blood can vary from black or tarry to bright red.

The longer the blood takes to exit, the darker it will be.

What causes bleeding in the digestive tract?

In the esophagus, bleeding can result from several conditions:

Esophagitis can occur in the lower end of the esophagus. The esophagus can become inflamed by the acidic contents of the stomach which enter the esophagus when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle malfunctions. This condition is often associated with heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

In the stomach, infections, ulcers, and inflammations (gastritis) can lead to bleeding: 
• Infections can be caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria and medicines, such as aspirin and NSAIDS (medications used for muscular and joint pain). High levels of H. pylori bacteria can be identified in blood tests.
• Ulcers or gastritis can develop from the irritated lining of the stomach. Acute or chronic ulcers can erode through blood vessels to cause massive bleeding. Stress ulcers can be caused by burns, head injuries, shock, extensive surgery, or cancer.
• Benign tumors or cancer of the stomach may bleed.

In the small intestine, bleeding is often caused by duodenal ulcers and inflammations:

• Ulcers can be found in the upper part of the small intestine called the duodenum. They can result from H. pylori bacteria or medications such as aspirin, aspirin-containing medicines, and NSAIDS.
• Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in the small intestine as well as in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It often affects the lower end of the small intestine called the ileum where it can lead to bleeding.
• Cancer of the small intestine is a possibility

• In the large intestine (colon), benign growths may develop or inflammations can produce bloody diarrhea:

  • Benign growths or polyps can cause bleeding, which may be occult (hidden) and identifiable in stool tests, or visible bleeding. During endoscopic exams, these growths can be removed since they are believed to lead to cancer of the colon.
  • Inflammations can be another cause of extensive bleeding in the colon. Intestinal infections, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and diverticular disease can all inflame the walls of the colon.
  • Cancer of the colon is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. It usually develops from polyps which can be removed in a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy exam. People over the age of 50 are recommended to have colorectal endoscopic exams to identify colon cancer in its early stages when it is most curable.
  • Abnormalities in blood vessels may develop as people age, which can bleed.

Written by Joy Seeman

© 2009 Hemorrhoid Information Center

Sources:

Bleeding in the Digestive Tract. (2004, November). Retrieved September 25, 2009, from National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov

Digestive Basics–Bleeding in the Digestive Tract. (2004, February 6). Retrieved September 25, 2009, from About.com: http://ibdcrohns.about.com

Mohan, M. D. , Venkat. (2008, September 13). Bleeding in the Digestive Tract. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com

Ahhh, the savory aroma of freshly-brewed coffee in the morning, and those consumed cups of morning Joe help millions of people come alive to prepare for their day. We are a nation of coffee drinkers, consuming tons of the roasted coffee beans to make it a profitable 18 billion dollar industry in this country alone. Some scientists believe the smell of coffee helps restore appetite and refreshes your ability to detect odors. Perfume boutiques offer coffee beans to refresh olfactory receptors between perfume sniffing. But what are the health effects of coffee drinking on the digestive system? Many medical studies have looked at the connection between coffee consumption and digestive disorders; although findings can be inconclusive, some observations can be made.

Regular or Decaf Coffee?

As everyone knows, coffee can be purchased either caffeinated or decaffeinated (where the caffeine has been removed). Caffeine in coffee has been considered the source of health problems for many people because of its effect on the central nervous system, so they often switch to decaf to avoid jitteriness and insomnia. Also, caffeine is addictive and withdrawal from it can be difficult, so many people switch to decaf in the hope that it is better for them. But it seems to have little effect on digestive problems whether you drink caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee.

All coffee affects the digestive system in these ways:

Pregnant women can develop iron-deficiency anemia from Coffee

• Creates a laxative effect, stimulating the wave-like movements of the gastrointestinal tract to empty of its contents. It can be helpful to constipation sufferers, but it can also contribute to extremely loose stools.
• Increases acidity of gastric juices with more acid, surprisingly, produced by decaffeinated coffee. Also, stomach contents may exit into the small intestine before being adequately digested, causing distress or pain in the abdomen.
• Can damage the lining of the intestines in excessive amounts and in sensitive individuals allowing the formation of ulcers and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach’s lining) or aggravating existing conditions. People who suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, and colitis are usually advised not to drink coffee.
• Increases heartburn or acid reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter muscle at the juncture of esophagus and stomach. Caffeine is a known relaxant of this muscle, but it can also occur from drinking decaffeinated coffee too.
• Allows the absorption of two chemicals, cafestol and kahweol, which increase LDL levels in cholesterol. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are considered the bad cholesterol which leads to cardiovascular disease. These components can be removed from coffee by using paper coffee filters.
• Interferes with the absorption of iron for people who take iron supplements. Pregnant women can develop iron-deficiency anemia.

Most medical authorities believe coffee is harmless to a healthy individual when used in moderation (usually considered drinking two to three cups a day), but aggravates gastrointestinal problems in others. Moderate coffee drinkers have been shown to enjoy some health benefits, such as less risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes, gall bladder disease, certain types of cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. On the other hand, caffeine dependency can create anxiety and sleep disorders, and attempts to withdraw from caffeine can be difficult to handle in heavy coffee drinkers. Furthermore, people who suffer from gastrointestinal disorders are more sensitive to the adverse effects of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. In the person who experiences digestive disorders, the aroma of freshly-brewed morning Joe should be all that is enjoyed because of the adverse correlation between coffee and the digestive system.

written by Joy Seeman

© 2009 H.I.C. Digestive Health

Coffee and Gastrointestinal Function. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2009, from The Coffee Science Information Center: http://www.cosic.org/

Coffee and Health. (2009, September 16). Retrieved September 16, 2009, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Higdon, P. D. (2005, August). Oregon State University. Retrieved September 16, 2009, from Linus Pauling Institute: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/

Heartburn during pregnancy is a common occurrence, especially in the last trimester. According to major studies, more than one half of pregnant women do experience heartburn, and for many women it is a first-time introduction to the digestive upset. Heartburn is usually harmless, having no lasting effects, and will disappear after giving birth, but that doesn’t make it any less miserable if you are dealing with it. In order to cope with the discomfort, you may need to make some changes in your diet to eliminate acidic foods. Other simple lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms of heartburn, making this time of anticipation of your new baby more enjoyable.

Why is heartburn so prevalent while you’re pregnant?

It has nothing to do with your heart, but because the burning usually takes place in the chest, it has been named after that vital organ, and other names for the condition are acid indigestion and acid reflux.  In medical terminology, it is called GER, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux, or in other words, the acids in the stomach splash up into the esophagus. Because these gastric acids have a corrosive effect on the lining of the esophagus, they cause a burning sensation which can extend from the bottom of the breastbone to the lower throat. These acids escape the stomach because the valve (called the esophageal sphincter that is between the stomach and esophagus) is not working properly. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone is produced by the placenta to relax the uterus, and it also relaxes this muscular valve. This hormone explains the overall sluggishness of the digestive tract during this time and the common complaint of constipation. Later in pregnancy, the growing baby puts additional pressure on the stomach and causes gastric acids to back up into the esophagus.

Foods and drinks that cause heartburn while you’re pregnant

• Caffeine and carbonated drinks
• Coffee
• Alcohol which is not appropriate anytime during pregnancy
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Spicy, fried, fatty or highly-seasoned foods
• Tomatoes, mustard and vinegar
• Processed meats
• Mint products

Steps to reduce the symptoms of heartburn when pregnant:

• Eat several smaller meals during the day instead of three large ones.
• Chew your food well and don’t rush through meals.
• Drink only small amounts of fluids with your meals to avoid stomach distention. It is important to drink eight to ten glasses of water daily, but drink this between meals.
• Chew gum after eating. Enzymes from your salivary glands can be stimulated by chewing gum, and this can help neutralize the acids in your stomach.
• Don’t lie down after eating.
• Don’t eat two to three hours before you go to bed. Allow your stomach to empty of its contents.
• Elevate the head of your bed by six inches or sleep with several pillows to raise your upper body. This will help keep the stomach acids contained in the appropriate place.
• Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t increase pressure to the stomach and abdomen.
• Control your weight according to your healthcare provider’s advice, so it is the baby gaining weight not you.
• Bend at the knees instead of the waist when doing daily routines.
• No smoking—it is harmful to you and your baby, and it creates more acid in the stomach.

If these measures fail to control your heartburn, the next step is to consult your healthcare providers about taking over-the-counter antacids, or a stronger prescription drug. Follow their recommendations, because some antacids contain aluminum, aspirin or are high in sodium, and should not be consumed during pregnancy. Some women have found that liquid antacids work better because they coat the esophagus and stomach. Prescription drugs can be taken during pregnancy under your doctor’s guidance if your heartburn is severe.

by Joy Seeman

© 2009  H.I.C. Digestive Health

Sources:

Heartburn During Pregnancy. (2006, June). Retrieved August 10, 2009, from babycenter:

http://www.babycenter.com

Heartburn During Pregnancy. (2008, September 1). Retrieved August 10, 2009, from WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com

Heartburn During Pregnancy. (2009). Retrieved August 10, 2009, from Cleveland Clinic:

http://myclinic.org

Richter, J. E. (n.d.). Heartburn, Nausea, Vomiting During Pregnancy. Retrieved August 10, 2009, A.C. of Gastroenterology:

http://www.acg.org