Gas and bloating during pregnancy
Medicines and other useful products for your kit the products you
need in pregnancy.
Why do I have so much gas now that I'm pregnant?
All persons, pregnant or not, expel gas. You will be surprised to
learn that, on average; a person produces between 1 and 4 pints (0.5 to 1.8
liters) of gas per day and expels gas about 14-23 times a day. However, now
that you're pregnant, can you blow out more gas than usual and you feel that
you stomach swells after a while eating.
Why is this happening?
The first
reason is that during pregnancy you have much higher levels of progesterone, a
hormone that relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your
digestive system. This relaxation slows digestion, which can cause you gas,
bloating in the stomach, belching and flatulence, and create usually unpleasant
sensations in your belly, especially after a hearty meal. During the last
months of pregnancy the uterus is larger and fills the abdominal cavity, which
further slows digestion, and to put pressure on the stomach, makes you feel
even more bloated after eating. It can also produce you heartburn (heartburn)
or constipation, even if you had never had this trouble.
Where do the gases?
Gas is formed in the digestive system in two ways: when you
swallow air and when bacteria in your colon (large intestine) break down
undigested food. Most stomach gas produced by swallowing air and usually released
to burp. Most gases that cause flatulence occur when bacteria in the large
intestine break down food that was not completely digested by enzymes stomach
and small intestine. Certain carbohydrates are primarily responsible. Proteins
and fats are not the most gas produced. Besides fat, because that slow digestion
can help you feel bloated stomach. Certain foods cause gas to some people and
not others. For example, people with lactose intolerance do not produce enough? The enzyme that breaks down lactose (the sugar in milk and dairy
products)? So it can swell and have lots of gas if you take too much milk or
ice cream. The variation of each person in the balance of bacteria in the
colon, can also affect the amount of gas it produces. Find out how you can cope
seven sorrows and pains common in pregnancy.
Will you help me to modify my diet?
The most effective way to decrease gas is reducing those foods
that are most likely causing them. But if you remove everything that cans producer’s
gases, it will be very difficult to follow a balanced diet. 's why, you can
start by removing the cause of most common gases and, if it relieves you, again
begins to include in your diet, by one, those foods that you had removed, so
that you can determine which one will generate problems. Keeping a food diary
can help you see the relationship between eating certain foods and gas
production.
Foods that produce safer gases are beans, cabbage, cauliflower,
Brussels sprouts, broccoli and asparagus. They all contain sugar raff nose,
which causes gases to a lot of people. Others have problems if they consume too
much fructose, a type of sugar found in many foods. A relatively high amount of
fructose in its natural form can be found in onions, leeks, pears, apples,
artichokes, dried fruits and in honey and wheat. Many sodas (soft drinks or
soft drinks) and fruit drinks are sweetened a type called fructose syrup (or
honey) Corn high fructose. It is not advisable to take sodas and sweetened
drinks because they have empty calories and carbonation in sodas can cause gas.
A large number of processed foods contain corn syrup high in fructose. Certain
starches? Such as pasta and potatoes, but rice? Can cause gas in some people.
And some high-fiber foods? As oat bran, beans and many kinds of fruit? Cause
gas because normally broken down in the large intestine. Exception is wheat
bran, which passes through the digestive system without breaking down. This
makes it ideal if you have constipation and need more fiber but can also cause
flatulence. Individuals who have lactose tolerance may find that dairy products
give them gas.
If you are highly intolerant to dairy products, you probably
know before your pregnancy, since milk you may have produced diarrhea and
abdominal pain. But if you have only one bit of intolerance and are not aware
of the effect of milk have on you, a dramatic increase in the consumption of
these products during pregnancy may cause you some discomfort. To avoid this
problem, search the supermarket milk without lactose or soy milk fortified with
calcium. If you do not drink any kind of milk, you probably need to take a
calcium supplement. Finally, try to avoid foods high in fat and fried. No cause
gas, but make digestion slower, and this produces a sense of abdominal heaviness.
What else can I do to find relief?
The following suggestions can reduce the frequency and severity of
symptoms:
Rather than eating large meals, make several small meals
throughout the day.
Eat slowly and chew food well. Do not talk while eating to avoid
swallowing much air.
It limits the amount of fluid you drink during meals. You can
compensate for the rest of the day.
Drink a cup or a glass? No bottle or with a straw? And drink slowly;
do not take drinks in one gulp.
Stand up straight while you eat or drink, but only take a small
snack.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and prevents you tighten the
waist and belly.
Do not chew gum or eat hard candy.
Avoid anything sweetened with orbital, an artificial sweetener.
Exercise, even a brisk walk can help speed digestion.
Avoid constipation as this can contribute to flatulence and
abdominal bloating feeling.
Do not smoke, snuff, and contribute to a host of serious health
problems, stimulates heartburn. Ideally quit before becoming pregnant. If you
still smoke, ask your doctor to recommend a smoking cessation program or read
our tips to stop smoking).
Practicing yoga or a similar discipline, teach you relaxation
techniques and breathing properly, it can be of help. Some people who are prone
to hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing) tend to swallow more air when you
are nervous.
If these measures do not help, ask your doctor if you can take a
drug for nonprescription gases containing simethicone. Do not take charcoal
tablets, because they are not safe during pregnancy.
Is it possible that the pain caused by gases is a symptom that
something is wrong?
Call your doctor if at any time the inconvenience of the gases
most resemble abdominal pain or cramps, or if they are accompanied by
evacuating blood, severe diarrhea, constipation or increased? Or new episode? Nausea
and vomiting. Notified what are the seven rules for eating well during
pregnancy.
