Indigestion & Heartburn

Published on 6 December 2023 at 11:53
Heartburn during pregnancy? Here at Tree of Life Midwife we can help you learn how to manage and treat it! Home birth, Water birth, Natural Birth, Cache Valley, Cache County, Logan Utah

Need some help with heartburn? 

 

This occurs, because there is not enough hydrochloric acid present in the stomach. "What? I thought I had too much acid in my stomach, that's why it burns” you say. The sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens and closes according to the pH balance of the hydrochloric acid. It is a pH sensitive valve. It opens when the pH of the acid is too alkaline (not enough acid present) which then allows the acid to go up into the esophagus. The sphincter closes when the pH of the hydrochloric acid is acidic enough (there is enough acid to digest food).

 

When food is swallowed and put into the stomach, the hydrochloric acid gets diluted, so if you don't have enough to digest your food properly then the esophageal valve does not close like it is supposed to and the result is heartburn or indigestion. 

 

The problem with using Tums and other similar products is the fact that tums are an antacid which means they further lower the quantity of acid in the stomach. This doesn't solve anything or help your body heal itself, it just gives temporary relief. This antacid is calcium carbonate which also has other side effects which include stressing the kidneys, increased risk for kidney stones, gallbladder stones, cardiovascular problems, and can cause a buildup of these unabsorbable minerals around the joints creating arthritis or other issues.

 

Natural remedies that are pregnancy safe to the rescue:

 

Apple Cider Vinegar: I know what you're thinking: "Who would want to take vinegar?! Apple cider vinegar is one of the natural remedies that can help immensely because it creates a more acidic environment in the stomach that the body needs to be able to digest food and it helps the body long term so that it can produce enough of its own acid. Just stir a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink it about 20 minutes before you eat. You can add a bit of honey to make it taste better if you desire. You can make homemade salad dressings with apple cider vinegar as well! This will help you to produce enough hydrochloric acid in the long run so that you don't need to take it forever!

 

Coconut Oil: Taking a tablespoon of fractionated coconut oil before you eat your meal. You can mix it with honey to make it taste good!

 

Ginger Tea: Ginger is  digestive tonic and does for the digestive system what cayenne does for the circulatory system. Drink a cup of ginger tea after each meal. You'll need to do it for  bit to see permanent results. Every ones body is different so depending on what other things you might have going on is how long you might need to take it

 

Slippery Elm lozenges can soothe even the worst heartburn. Eating raw almonds, raw papaya or papaya enzymes can also be helpful. 

 

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