Could my symptoms be GERD, and is it safe in pregnancy?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Your symptoms, such as a burning feeling after meals, throwing up, and getting worse when you drink coffee or lie down, are all signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If GERD happens a lot and isn't addressed, it can develop problems, including inflammation of the esophagus, ulcers or bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus that makes it hard to swallow, and in some people, Barrett's esophagus, which is a condition that can lead to cancer.

If you have warning signals like problems swallowing, unexplained weight loss, anemia, vomiting blood, black stools, or symptoms that don't go away after six to eight weeks of proper therapy, you should see a doctor. These may need more tests, like an endoscopy.

Management usually starts with changes to daily life, like not eating heavy or late meals, not eating within three hours of going to bed, eating smaller portions, avoiding foods that trigger symptoms like coffee, chocolate, mint, and alcohol, not wearing tight clothes around the waist, losing weight if necessary, and raising the head of the bed with a wedge or bed blocks. Sleeping on your left side might also assist with reflux symptoms.

Reflux symptoms often get worse during pregnancy; there are treatments that are often employed. Lifestyle changes and antacids or alginate-based treatments are usually the first things that people try. Many people use drugs like famotidine if symptoms don't go away. If symptoms are severe, proton pump inhibitors like Omeprazole or Pantoprazole may be an option. Talking to your obstetrician or gastroenterologist about your drug options is the best thing to do. If you can control your reflux before you are pregnant, it can make the pregnancy more comfortable.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.