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Acid Reflux During Pregnancy Symptoms
Chest pain and trouble breathing?
I am 33 weeks pregnant and I am having a very difficult time breathing. I know this is usually a common symptom during late pregnancy, but I know chest pain Isn't. I've been to the hospital countless times and all they do is listen to my heartbeat and tell me I'm fine. But I'm in severe pain...what's the problem? It's not indigestion or acid reflux either. Advice NEEDED!!!!!
I am already on medicine for anxiety and I take it twice a day.
I was diagnosed with costochondritis at first, but then they figured out that it is chronic myofascial pain (which is very similar to fibromyalgia). You probably have some trigger points (a trigger point is a knot in the muscle). The trigger points are most likely in your sternalis, pectoralis, or intercostal muscles - but can spread (ie. serratus anterior). What ever muscles are effected in the front will also be effected in the back aswell and vice versa. Therefore you probably have a corresponding trigger point in your back muscles. Trigger points also develop corresponding trigger points on the opposite side to the one affected. So if your right side is sore, check your left side. So if you don't act on them you can have a whole cascade of them all over your body before you know it. The only way to relieve a trigger point is to put pressure on it (Use a broad tip marker on the pointy end - I like those fat sharpie's and consider buying a THERACANE - it is a great tool for the back especially!). The external intercostal muscles are responsible for expanding your ribcage when you take a deep breath. It will hurt when you press on the trigger point at first and lots of times they refer pain (you will press on the trigger point and feel the pain else where). The pain will be felt at first but then it should gradually get less and less as you hold pressure on it . You have to work out the trigger points (consider seeing a massage therapist who does myofascial release - I tried electro-acupuncture but it was NO-WHERE NEAR AS EFFECTIVE as massage therapy) also make sure you stretch your back, neck and ribcage (do a pec stretch). To do a pec stretch (which stretches your pectoral muscles, sternalis, and intercostals) stand in a doorway with your arms against the door frame in an "L" position (and keep your bicep at shoulder height and lean forward and try keeping your arms at different heights to stretch different parts of yoru chest). You should feel a stretch in your chest. To stretch the neck (re: sternocledomastoid and scalenes) sit in a chair with the feet flat on the floor and arms by your side relaxed. Tilt your head to one side and hold when you feel a stretch. then do the other way. Also for the scalene muscles (which are accessory breathing muscles) in the neck tilt the head to one side while seated in the chair and then at the same time turn your head upwards to the ceiling and hold. Also make sure you sit with feet flat on the ground, keep them straight, and your back straight and not slouched as this can lead to developing trigger points in your back & neck in the scalenes (re: neck) and in the rhomboids and trapezius in your back & other places. Also be aware of your posture and the position of your head and feet while standing and sitting. Make sure you are sitting & standing erect and your feet are not outwards (sign of tight glutes) or inwards. Your feet should be straight and your head back & straight. Your head should be straight and shoulders back and relaxed (down). You should try to deep breath (Make sure it is from your diaphragm) even if you can only get a little air in and hold it as this will allow your diaphragm muscle to stretch. It might also be tight. Sometimes you will hear your bones crack and pop if your diaphragm is really tight when you stretch it - this is normal and will not hurt you. Your diaphragm is your primary breathing muscle. Rehab I found is a LONG PROCESS for this and RX muscle relaxents do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! you should consider buying the the book by Claire Davies called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook". Trigger points can also create sattelite trigger points (i.e. in your abdominal muscles - rectus abominus). These can give you bladder problems - you feel like you got to go but you actually don't, or your have trouble going to the bathroom. Use heat on the affected area to increase the blood flow - you only want to use ice immediately after an injury for swelling. At this stage you want heat (and I find heat much more soothing and helpful myself). I got my diagnosis from a Thoracic Surgeon, but you can also see a Rheumatologist.
I also want to note that I went for a pulmonary function test and my family doc told me I had asthma. HOWEVER, he did not know my specialist got a copy of the test results and he said my test was "normal" - so I don't have asthma! Apparently ALOT of family practice MDs have never heard of Chronic Myofascial pain and do not know about trigger points (mine didn't).
It took a year for me to be able to yawn through my nose (in though the nose and out through the mouth) - I still cannot yawn with my mouth cause of my trigger points and diaphragm tightness.
Do not self-massage your abdomin though, I did that and within 20 min I had blood on my underwear b/c I irritated my ovary. Leave that to your massage therapist - MAKE SURE YOU SEE ONE and stretch all your muscles.
The Acid Reflux Condition and Its Treatment
If the gastric juices containing acid travel back from the stomach into the esophagus, we can say that person has an acid reflux condition. People affected by the acid reflux, have often symptoms like chest pain, regurgitation, a burning that is rising from the stomach up towards the neck, dental erosion, hoarseness and asthma.
There are some people that deal with this problem regularly, and that condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Normally, stomach acid and enzymes help the stomach to digest the food, and after it partially does that, the stomach muscle will deliver the content into the small intestine for further digestion.
There are a few factors that contribute to the apparition of acid reflux. Some of them are chocolate, caffeine, cigarettes, fatty foods, obesity and pregnancy. It is known that obesity and pregnancy are determining the pressure inside the abdomen to rise, and are pushing the stomach contents back into the esophagus. If a person has the stomach full of food and acid and lies down, there is an increased probability for the acid reflux to appear. There are also people who have stomachs that empty their content into the intestine very slowly.
The acid reflux can cause quite serious problems sometimes, it can affect the quality of life, and everyday activities. Acid reflux can cause heartburn, and sometimes, in more severe cases that can be very dangerous. The lining of the esophagus may become damaged and ulcerated, and because of this, may result difficulties or even pain when swallowing the foods or liquids, or narrowing.
There are a few medications that are usually used. Blockers, like histamine2-receptor antagonists are frequently used, because blocking the chemical named histamine, reduces acid production in the stomach. The histamine is usually released by the body during inflammations, and in the stomach it can release more acid, so it is important to block this chemical.
Prokinetic agents are also used , because they help in emptying the stomach and prevent it from being too full. Prokinetic agents increase the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter.
There are also the proton pump inhibitors, which have an action on cells in the stomach wall that are responsible with the release of acid into the stomach.
Antacids are some medicines that are being sold directly and they have effect in neutralising acid in the stomach. This medication is used usually to treat mild acid- related symptoms, like heartburn or indigestion. It is important to know that they are not usually recommended to treat the frequent heartburn, that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease have.
The acid reflux can be a serious disease in some case, and it affects the everyday living, that is why it is important to treat it as soon as possible.
For more resources about acid reflux or especially about acid reflux surgery please click this link http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-surgery.htm
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For more resources about acid reflux or especially about acid reflux surgery please click this link http://www.acid-reflux-info-guide.com/acid-reflux-surgery.htm
