Causes of Heartburn in Pregnant Women

We all know that getting pregnant is a very important thing for any woman in her life. At the same time, it is also one of the most challenging times as well. It's no fun when you feel constantly tired, have swollen ankles and develop heartburn on a daily basis.

As far as heartburn is concerned, it is often observed that it can develop irrespective of our eating patterns. When it happens, acid from your stomach will start to burn your throat as they come up to esophagus. This will, without any doubt, make you feel miserable.

It is found that physical and hormonal changes which happens to the body during pregnancy is the basic reason for heartburn in pregnancy. It's usually observed that, during pregnancy, the level of progesterone hormone is increased and it causes the muscle between the stomach and esophagus to get relaxed. This, in turn, allows food and stomach acids to come up to esophagus and cause heartburn. This increased level of progesterone also slows down the movement of food through the digestive system.

Heartburn in pregnancy can also occur as the result of the growing baby pushing on the stomach during the later stages of pregnancy in an attempt to make more room inside the abdomen. This will push food and stomach acids into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

The good thing is knowing that your heartburn will cease to occur when finally the baby is born. Described below are some tips you can follow to prevent heartburn in pregnancy.

1) Always make sure to avoid heartburn triggers. This means avoiding oily, acidic, spicy, greasy and sweet foods. It feels good to have that pizza, but those acids in the tomatoes are not going to make you feel good once you have had them. Apart from that, pizza is highly greasy also. So, avoid it.

2) Always eat smaller meals

3) Drink water in small quantities to avoid getting bloated. If you get bloated, this may exert additional pressure on the esophagus which may cause heartburn.

4) Reduce your intake of carbonated and caffeinated drinks. Avoid chocolates.

5) Cigarettes and alcohol are to be treated as dreaded while in pregnancy. Stay away from them by all means.

6) Have chewing gums handy as chewing them increases saliva in your mouth which will aid in proper digestion of the food and minimize the attacks of heartburn.

7) Do some light exercises which will help you to improve your digestion such as walking. This will also ensure a good muscle tone and weight control throughout your pregnancy.

If possible, stay away from heartburn medicines and only use them after consulting your physician.

High Ankle Sprain - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

One of the common injuries that can be acquired in sports or strenuous exercise is the high ankle sprain or syndesmotic ankle sprain. This oftentimes occurs if the ligaments that connect the fibula and the tibia are stretched to the extent that they are torn. Compared to normal sprain, where the tendons and ligaments were simply stretched, in high ankle sprain, these tendons and ligaments are torn, causing severe ankle pain. The main reason for high ankle sprain is the outward twisting of the ankle and foot.

Syndesmotic ligaments are in charge of the proper position of the ankle joint. These ligaments are important to keep the proper position of ankle joints. High ankle joints accidents, however, occur less than ankle sprains. But their symptoms are almost the same.

Like all sprains, pain is the main symptom. One may experience severe pain in the ankle that gets worse every time pressure is applied to the injured foot. The pain can also be so severe that it can hurt up to the knee. Bruise can also be seen on the affected foot. Small blood vessels are torn and ruptured, thus, bruise is produced. Blood clots appear to the injured part and are often bluish black.

Oftentimes the affected area of the foot swells. This is brought about by the bleeding and tearing of the ligaments in the ankle. The pain of the swelling, however, can differ depending on the intensity of the injury. Also, moving can be difficult since the normal structure of the foot has been changed due to the torn ligaments. These types of sprains can cause instability and the affected foot cannot give proper support.

High ankle sprain comes in three degrees and can be classified depending on the severity of the symptoms and the damage in the ligaments. Before any treatment is done, the doctor may perform different tests first to find out the condition of the foot and possible fracture. Once diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe drugs to reduce the pain and inflammation. Protection-Rest-Ice compress-Rest (P.R.I.C.E) is said to be the best treatment for it. For the third degree sprain, the doctor may suggest surgery to put back the bones on their original position and may require bed rest after the operation.

High ankle sprain recovery varies from one person to another depending on the severity of the sprain and the reaction of the patient to the treatment. To avoid sprain or any ankle injury, do not over stress your feet and do not over exert on exercise and tasks.