Is Acid Reflux Continuing in Your Throat During Pregnancy Heartburn Thought to Be Morning Sickness Causes and Management

Hello, this is Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic. # Is Acid Reflux Continuing in Your Throat During Pregnancy Heartburn Thought to Be Morning Sickness Causes and Management Many expectant mothers visit us complaining that acid reflux continues to rise in their throat during pregnancy. Initially, many think of it as a type of morning sickness and try to endure it, but as time goes on, it often leads to severe symptoms such as burning chest pain, sour stomach, a foreign body sensation in the throat, and even sleepless nights. 17 to 45 percent of pregnant women experience gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can appear anytime from early pregnancy to full term. Why do heartburn and acid reflux occur during pregnancy, making such a happy time painful? And is there a wise way to manage it without harming the fetus? 💡 **[Core Answer]** Top 3 most common causes of acid reflux during pregnancy: ① **Hormonal Changes** (increased progesterone) / ② **Compression Due to Uterine Expansion** / ③ **Decreased Gastrointestinal Function** Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic fundamentally strengthens gastrointestinal function and improves reflux symptoms safely for both mother and baby through **Intestinal Detoxification Treatment**. ## Heartburn During Pregnancy, Is It Not Just Morning Sickness? Many pregnant women dismiss heartburn and acid reflux as an extension of morning sickness. While symptoms can overlap, acid reflux during pregnancy has clear causes distinct from morning sickness. Morning sickness mostly appears in early pregnancy and tends to ease after 18 weeks, but reflux symptoms can worsen further into the second and third trimesters. There are two main causes. First, the progesterone hormone that increases during pregnancy relaxes the uterus to prevent miscarriage, but at the same time, it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter that prevents gastroesophageal reflux, making stomach acid easily flow back up. Second, as the fetus grows, the uterus enlarges, and this enlarged uterus presses on the stomach, promoting stomach contents to be pushed up into the esophagus. Combined with gastrointestinal functions that were already weak, these physical and hormonal changes can develop into reflux esophagitis during pregnancy. ## Pregnant Gastroesophageal Reflux, How Does Korean Medicine Approach It? (Principles of Intestinal Detoxification) Western medicine mainly uses acid suppressants or antacids to alleviate symptoms, but for pregnant women, the burden of taking medication can be heavy. Therefore, Korean medicine focuses on fundamentally strengthening gastrointestinal function and correcting internal imbalances causing reflux in a safe way for both fetus and mother. In particular, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic approaches pregnant reflux esophagitis through the principle of 'Intestinal Detoxification' treatment. Intestinal Detoxification goes beyond simply emptying the intestines; it detoxifies waste and toxins accumulated on the intestinal wall, restores weakened digestive functions, and normalizes the peristaltic movement of the stomach. When gastrointestinal function deteriorates, food stagnates in the stomach, which increases pressure inside the stomach and makes stomach acid easily reflux backward. Intestinal Detoxification treatment strengthens the stomach and esophageal muscle tissue, improves the intestinal environment, and promotes digestive enzyme secretion, breaking this vicious cycle. This strengthens the connection between the gut and brain called the Gut-Brain Axis, helping to stabilize not only digestive functions but also autonomic nervous system disturbances caused by stress. A study published in the 2020 [Journal of International Korean Medicine] (by Hye-Yeon Jang et al.) analyzed trends in herbal medicine treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and noted the efficacy of herbal prescriptions containing Banha. This study reported GERD symptom relief and therapeutic effects based on clinical studies in traditional Chinese medicine, suggesting the possibility of herbal medicine treatment especially for patients with non-erosive reflux disease. In addition, a study by the research team of Korean medicine doctor Hye-Yeon Moon at Jaseng Medical Foundation Spine and Joint Research Institute published in the 2019 [BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology] revealed that acupuncture treatment during pregnancy is safe as it does not have a significant impact on premature birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage. Acupuncture treatment was noted to be effective in treating indigestion and other common issues during pregnancy. Based on these data, Dalimchae Korean Medicine Songdo branch focuses on improving overall gastrointestinal function and relieving uncomfortable reflux symptoms through safe herbal prescriptions and acupuncture treatment applicable during pregnancy. ## Pregnant Reflux Esophagitis Self-Diagnosis Checklist If 3 or more of the following items apply to you, suspect gestational gastroesophageal reflux, and if 5 or more apply, active management is necessary. We recommend receiving an accurate diagnosis and consultation at Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch, a clinic for pregnant women's heartburn. * Burning sensation in the throat or chest within 2 to 3 hours after a meal. * When lying down to sleep, stomach acid refluxes into the throat or a bitter taste is felt. * Frequent foreign body sensation felt in the throat. * Frequent burping accompanied by food coming back up. * Stuffy feeling around the pit of the stomach and poor digestion. * Chronic cough or hoarseness that did not exist before pregnancy. * Symptoms worsen when eating certain foods (greasy foods, spicy foods, coffee, carbonated drinks, etc.). * Often waking up or losing sleep at night due to heartburn. **Criteria:** * **3 or more items apply:** Suspicion of gestational gastroesophageal reflux. Consideration of dietary and lifestyle improvements along with complex Korean medicine treatment is needed. * **5 or more items apply:** Severe symptom stage. For the health of the fetus and mother, immediate visit to a specialized medical institution for accurate diagnosis and treatment is recommended. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch provides safe and effective Korean medicine treatment. ## Tailored Management of Pregnant Reflux Esophagitis at Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch prioritizes the safety of mother and fetus above all when treating reflux esophagitis in pregnant women. We strictly exclude contraindicated herbs during pregnancy and use only Ministry of Food and Drug Safety-certified standard products, pursuing improved digestive function and fetal stability simultaneously through tailored herbal prescriptions suited for pregnancy stages. Various Korean medicine therapies such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and pharmacopuncture are also applied focusing on safe acupoints for pregnant women to help strengthen gastrointestinal function and alleviate symptoms. Along with this, lifestyle improvements for strengthening gastrointestinal function are combined. Eating small, frequent meals and sitting or standing for 2 to 3 hours without lying down immediately after eating is recommended. Elevating the upper body by 10 to 20cm when sleeping helps alleviate reflux, and foods that can worsen stomach acid reflux such as greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate, and carbonated drinks should be avoided. **Q. How long does reflux esophagitis during pregnancy last?** A. There are individual differences, but gestational reflux esophagitis can start from early pregnancy and persist or worsen until childbirth. After childbirth, it mostly improves naturally due to hormonal changes and decreased gastric pressure, but if chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction existed, symptoms may continue after childbirth. **Q. Morning sickness and reflux esophagitis occur together; can they be treated together?** A. Yes, it is possible. During pregnancy, morning sickness and reflux esophagitis symptoms often appear influencing each other. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic treats the root causes of both symptoms—gastrointestinal dysfunction and autonomic imbalance—together to help you have a faster and more comfortable pregnancy. **Q. Can pregnant women take herbal medicine with peace of mind?** A. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch prioritizes the safety of pregnant women, strictly excluding contraindicated herbs during pregnancy and prescribing herbal medicine using only Ministry of Food and Drug Safety-certified standard products. The safety of Korean medicine treatment during pregnancy has been confirmed through numerous studies, and it can have a good effect on the fetus along with symptom relief. **Q. Can pregnant reflux esophagitis heal naturally?** A. Symptoms often improve naturally after childbirth, but symptoms can worsen during pregnancy. If pregnancy discomfort is endured and neglected, it can lead not only to a decline in the mother's quality of life but also to chronic gastrointestinal problems, so active management and treatment are important. Heartburn and acid reflux during pregnancy are not problems that can be solved by enduring them. You no longer need to ignore the body's signals sent for a long time. When approached in the right direction, the body responds faster than you think. Bring the symptoms you are experiencing as they are. Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic will find the cause together with you. Where life blossoms. Herbal medicine is Dalimchae Korean Medicine. Check similar symptoms to yours first through Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic website AI consultation! This health information is compiled together by Dalimchae medical staff based on questions frequently received in the consulting room. Medical Supervision | Jang & Digestion Treatment Standard Dalimchae Korean Medicine Clinic Songdo branch Korean Medicine Doctor Oh Hyunmin (Reflux Disease Column)