PREGNANCY NIGGLES… and how to overcome them

REFLUX

If you’ve ever felt like spewing fire, you’ll know exactly what reflux means…

Reflux describes a condition in which the acidic stomach content goes back into the oesophagus. This backwash of sorts happens when the one-way sphincter that allows food into the stomach from the oesophagus does not close as tightly as it should.

The characteristic symptoms of reflux include a burning sensation in the chest and throat. It usually happens after drinking fruit juice or warm beverages or eating hot, greasy food, and it becomes worse when you bend forward.

Reflux can be so bad that food or fluid backs up into the back of the mouth, especially at night when you’re lying down, and it could feel like you want to choke.

Pregnancy is a common cause of reflux, as it makes the upward pressure on the sphincter worse.

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