How To Fight Gastritis During Pregnancy?

How To Fight Gastritis During Pregnancy
Prepared by Dr Lua Guan Way Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist Gleneagles Medini Hospital What is gastritis? Gastritis refers to a group of conditions that develop from the inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the protective lining of the stomach.

  • It most commonly results from an infection by the same bacterium that triggers stomach ulcers.
  • Gastritis comes in either one of two forms, depending on the severity of the inflammation and the length of the incubation period.
  • Gastritis symptoms Acute gastritis and chronic gastritis share similar symptoms, namely loss of appetite, recurrent nausea and vomiting, indigestion, and a feeling of bloating particularly after a meal.

However, the pain stemming from acute gastritis occurs more suddenly but is temporary, while chronic gastritis causes duller and longer-lasting pain. Left unchecked, both can lead to ulcers or an increased risk of stomach cancer. Regardless, gastritis is not a huge worry with prompt and appropriate treatment.

  1. Gastritis causes Your stomach lining secretes mucus to protect against damage by corrosive digestive juices.
  2. Gastritis occurs due to the inflammation of this layer of tissue.
  3. The primary source of the condition is a bacterial infection of Helicobacter pylori (H.
  4. Pylori), which can cause ulcers and in severe cases, stomach cancer.

It is usually passed from person-to-person contact but may be transmitted via contaminated food or beverages as well. Gastritis risk factors Other risk factors can also engender gastritis, including:

Alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuseRoutine use of anti-inflammatory medication and pain relieversExtreme stressChronic vomitingOld age as older adults are more prone to H.pylori infection and the stomach lining usually thins with age Autoimmune gastritis where the body attacks its own stomach liningThe presence of other diseases such as Crohn’s disease, HIV/AIDS, or parasitic infections

What are the main causes of gastritis in pregnancy? Women who already live with gastritis will suffer an aggravation of the disease during pregnancy. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels combined with the pressure that a growing foetus places on the body.

In addition to the typical symptoms, expecting mothers may also experience heartburn, toxicosis accompanied by severe vomiting, stomach pain, flatulence, and diarrhoea. Gastritis symptoms during pregnancy Heartburn, vomiting, stomach pain, flatulence, and diarrhoea pose minor inconveniences during pregnancy but could indicate serious health issues depending on the severity and frequency.

Use self-help measures and home remedies to relieve negligible irritation. Visit your specialist should the problems persist. How to treat gastritis during pregnancy? Antacids containing aluminium, calcium, and magnesium were not found to be teratogenic in animal studies and are recommended as first-line treatment of heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy.

  1. Over-the-counter antacids such as Gaviscon may help you cope with occasional heartburn symptoms.
  2. The doctor may also prescribe Histamine-2 blockers (such as ranitidine or cimetidine) or proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) if your symptoms do not respond well to antacids.
  3. Although there is no evidence suggesting that these medications use is harmful during pregnancy, it is recommended that the drug only be used during pregnancy as needed, when no other options are available.

If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting (especially during the early trimester), your doctor may prescribe you certain antiemetic medication, such as Metoclopramide (brand name Maxolon) and Domperidone (brand name Motilium). However, some women with the more severe form of pregnancy sickness, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, may require further hospitalisation and investigation.

  • Does gastritis affect baby during pregnancy? While a pregnant woman afflicted with gastritis may encounter exacerbated symptoms, there is no negative effect on the course of pregnancy and the development of the child.
  • Does the effect of gastritis heighten solely due to pregnancy? No, it may be due to underlying pre-existing diseases, such as presence of Helicobacter pylori infection or peptic ulcer disease.
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Home remedies for gastritis during pregnancy While it may be almost impossible to eliminate every gastrointestinal issue when you are pregnant, the following tips may help you feel a little better:

Drink plenty of waterAvoid gassy drinks such as soda and other carbonated drinksAvoid sugar substitutes such as sorbitolKeep a food diary to track foods that might be problematic for your digestive tract Eat high fibre foodsConsider taking fibre supplementsExercise regularly to relieve constipation as physical activity may help speed up digestion Wear comfortable clothes such as loose-fitting maternal clothingFind ways to reduce stress, such as meditation, or taking a nice warm bath

Foods to avoid for gastritis during pregnancy Changes should be made to your dietary habits. Cut out foods that are spicy, fried, acidic, and high in fat content as these can cause gastritis flare-ups. Caffeinated drinks are also culprits, so swap your coffees and sodas with herbal teas and flavoured water.

Certain dishes like red meat, pork, and refined foods may not elicit immediate reaction but could exacerbate pain in the long-term. Instead of having three big meals, space out about four to six reduced portions throughout the day. Your plate should consist of foods that are easy for your stomach to break down, for example low-fat dairy products, soup, porridge, as well as steamed or boiled lean meat and fish.

Wash it all down with a fresh juice made out of fruits and vegetables. When to see a doctor for gastritis during pregnancy? It is essential to see your doctor for gastrointestinal issues even if they do not seem serious when you are expecting. Besides being able to prescribe you treatment to alleviate the symptoms, your doctor will also be able to monitor your condition to ensure that you remain healthy throughout pregnancy.

Severe pain or discomfort that interrupts your daily activitiesBlood in stoolsConstipation for more than a weekVomiting bloodExtreme weight lossPain or difficulty swallowingFrequent choking episodesExtreme tiredness or fatigue

Gastritis during pregnancy can be very uncomfortable. If you are an expecting mom experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, do not hesitate to make an appointment with Gleneagles’ Ob/Gyns or Gastroenterologists, Our team of doctors are well equipped to journey with you throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Gastroenterology
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Contents

Why does gastritis happen during pregnancy?

RÉSUMÉ – QUESTION En plus de souffrir de la nausée et des vomissements de la grossesse, des malaises traités à l’aide d’antiémétiques, certaines de mes patientes enceintes se plaignent de brûlures d’estomac et de reflux acides. Devrait-on aussi traiter ces symptômes et, dans l’affirmative, quels sont les médicaments contre l’hyperacidité qui sont sans risque durant la grossesse? RÉPONSE La gravité accrue de la nausée et des vomissements est associée à la présence de brûlures d’estomac et de reflux acides.

Les antiacides, les antagonistes du récepteur H2 de l’histamine et les inhibiteurs de la pompe à protons peuvent être utilisés en toute sécurité durant la grossesse, puisque d’importantes études publiées ne révèlent pas de données factuelles à l’effet qu’ils causeraient des effets indésirables chez le fœtus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is reported in up to 80% of pregnancies.1 It is likely caused by a reduction in lower esophageal sphincter pressure due to an increase in maternal estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also decrease gastric motility, resulting in prolonged gastric emptying time and increased risk of GERD.1 The most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and acid reflux.
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What is the fastest way to resolve gastritis?

Treatment – Treatment of gastritis depends on the specific cause. Acute gastritis caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or alcohol may be relieved by stopping use of those substances. Medications used to treat gastritis include:

Antibiotic medications to kill H. pylori. For H. pylori in your digestive tract, your doctor may recommend a combination of antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin XL) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, others) or metronidazole (Flagyl), to kill the bacterium. Be sure to take the full antibiotic prescription, usually for 7 to 14 days, along with medication to block acid production. Once treated, your doctor will retest you for H. pylori to be sure it has been destroyed. Medications that block acid production and promote healing. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid by blocking the action of the parts of cells that produce acid. These drugs include the prescription and over-the-counter medications omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix) and others. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, particularly at high doses, may increase your risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures. Ask your doctor whether a calcium supplement may reduce this risk. Medications to reduce acid production. Acid blockers — also called histamine (H-2) blockers — reduce the amount of acid released into your digestive tract, which relieves gastritis pain and encourages healing. Available by prescription or over the counter, acid blockers include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and nizatidine (Axid AR). Medications that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients. These help with immediate symptom relief but are generally not used as a primary treatment. Proton pump inhibitors and acid blockers are more effective and have fewer side effects.

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How can I calm my gastric pain?

8 Natural Remedies for Stomach Ache How To Fight Gastritis During Pregnancy If you get stomach aches periodically, you’re not alone. An upset stomach can result from all sorts of things from stress and diet to more serious matters such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or colon cancer. While there is no comparison to care from one of our board-certified gastroenterologists, many stomach aches can easily be treated at home.

  1. However, if you have persistent issues or pain, or a sudden onset of severe symptoms, medical treatment is always your best option.8 Natural Remedies for Stomach ache Peppermint The menthol in peppermint leaves has been used as a natural pain reliever to aid stomach problems for centuries.
  2. Try drinking it in a tea, chewing on mint gum, or sucking on a peppermint candy.

Apple Cider Vinegar While not delicious to taste on its own, this pantry staple can be taken by the tablespoon to neutralize an upset stomach. Try mixing it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey. The acids inside may help decrease starch digestion, and keep the bacteria in the gut healthy.

  1. Ginger Ginger has been used since ancient times to help treat stomach aches, and it truly can help.
  2. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can be consumed in various forms – candy, capsules, or as tea – but fresh ginger root is best when looking to rid stomach pain.
  3. Chamomile Tea Long known as a sleepy time remedy, chamomile also can act as an anti-inflammatory, which can help stomach muscles relax and reduce the pain of cramping and spasms.
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Try it while sitting up before heading to bed. Drink Water When in doubt, drink fluids. Throughout the course of the day, we lose water through sweating, breathing, and digesting. It’s crucial to replace the water we lose to prevent dehydration and keep the Dehydration can cause bloating due to electrolyte imbalances and can halt digestion and cause constipation.

Check out these to increase water intake for some simple ways to up your H2O. Exercise Walking, cycling, and gentle stretching yoga with deep breathing can all be helpful when dealing with a stomach ache. Try gently twisting your back while sitting on your feet for starters as this can help relive gas pains.

Apply Heat Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help. Try the BRAT Diet If the stomach pain is persistent, try sticking to the basics with the “BRAT” diet – that is, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

  1. These foods are low in fiber and high in binding, and none of them have salt or spices, which can aggravate the stomach more.
  2. It’s a great way to help combat nausea and diarrhea.
  3. When to visit us A stomach ache isn’t always a sign that you need to head to a doctor.
  4. But when it lasts for more than a few hours and it’s coupled with symptoms such as blood in your stool, rectal bleeding, paleness, weight loss, difficulty swallowing, yellowing of the eyes, or severe nausea or vomiting, then it’s best to visit us as soon as possible.

Persistent stomach problems can indicate a more serious issue. Have questions? Our team of doctors at in Troy, Michigan have the knowledge and experience finding and treating diseases in the gastrointestinal tract to ease your stomach issues. Give us a call at (248) 273-9930 or today.
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How long do gastric pains last?

– Everyone passes gas. However, some digestive conditions can cause excessive gas production, as can eating certain foods. The excess gas may not pass easily through the digestive system, resulting in trapped gas. While trapped gas may cause discomfort, it usually passes on its own after a few hours.
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What side should I lay on for stomach pain?

How do you sleep with stomach pain? – If you’re trying to sleep with stomach pain, sleep on your left side. This can reduce heartburn and ease an upset stomach. You can sleep with your head elevated as this will also reduce heartburn.
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Why are gas pains so painful during pregnancy?

Early pregnancy – During the first trimester of pregnancy, the body undergoes drastic hormonal changes. The hormones progesterone and estrogen increase significantly to thicken the uterine lining to prepare for the growing fetus. They work as follows:

Progesterone relaxes the muscles in the body, including those of the intestines. As the intestines relax, the digestive system slows down significantly.Raised levels of estrogen can cause the body to preserve water and gas. This can cause discomfort and pain in the abdomen.

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