AGONIZING heartburn ('fire up throat')

Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in pregnancy -
see PubMed abstracts below.


Leslie wrote:

"Somebody please tell me what the strongest, most effective heartburn
medication that is safe to take during pregnancy is! I felt like there
was
a fire coming up my throat all night last night!"
--Leslie


I replied:




GAVISCON for heartburn... See PubMed abstracts below.

QUESTION...

Is straight baking soda in water contraindicated in pregnancy?

I am NOT recommending it but...

Until I started eating "a huge, delicious salad" everyday (the late Roy
Walford, MD's 1st step), I was getting that heartburn occasionally at
night.

I haven't had "fire coming up my throat" for a LONG time.

But when I did, I just put a teaspoon of baking soda in a small amount of
water and gulped it down followed by fresh water and near-INSTANT relief -
and a huge belch of carbon dioxide gas I think. (Bicarbonate plus acid
liberates CO2 I think.)

Maybe this is dangerous because of the amount of CO2 liberated - or for
some
other reason?

I don't know - but the relief was INSTANT every time - never failed.

Baking SODA - not baking powder.

Apparently GAVISCON works much the same way - see below.

Todd




GAVISCON STUDY...

Int J Clin Pract. 2003 Apr;57(3):175-9.

An open-label, multicentre study to assess the safety and efficacy of a
novel reflux suppressant (Gaviscon Advance) in the treatment of heartburn
during pregnancy.

Lindow SW, Regnell P, Sykes J, Little S.

University of Hull, Hull, UK.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel reflux
suppressant, Gaviscon Advance, in the treatment of heartburn during
pregnancy. The study was an open-label, multicentre, phase IV study in
general practice and antenatal clinics in the UK and Republic of South
Africa. Pregnant women ( or = 38 weeks gestation; n=150) aged 18-40 years
suffering from heartburn were instructed to take Gaviscon Advance 5-10 ml,
as required, to relieve symptoms. The main outcome measures were the
efficacy rating of the study medication by the investigator and women
after
four weeks using a five-point efficacy scale. After four weeks the
investigators' and women's rating of efficacy was 'very good' or 'good' in
88% and 90% of women, respectively. Most women (57%, n=83) reported
symptom
relief within 10 minutes. Thus Gaviscon Advance effectively and rapidly
treats heartburn during pregnancy. Its use during pregnancy presents no
known significant safety concerns for mother or child.



Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Jun;14(6):669-90. Related Articles, Links


Review article: alginate-raft formulations in the treatment of heartburn
and
acid reflux.

Mandel KG, Daggy BP, Brodie DA, Jacoby HI.

SmithKline Beecham Consumer Health Care, Parsippany, NJ 07054, USA.


Alginate-based raft-forming formulations have been marketed word-wide for
over 30 years under various brand names, including Gaviscon. They are used
for the symptomatic treatment of heartburn and oesophagitis, and appear to
act by a unique mechanism which differs from that of traditional antacids.
In the presence of gastric acid, alginates precipitate, forming a gel.
Alginate-based raft-forming formulations usually contain sodium or
potassium
bicarbonate; in the presence of gastric acid, the bicarbonate is converted
to carbon dioxide which becomes entrapped within the gel precipitate,
converting it into a foam which floats on the surface of the gastric
contents, much like a raft on water. Both in vitro and in vivo studies
have
demonstrated that alginate-based rafts can entrap carbon dioxide, as well
as
antacid components contained in some formulations, thus providing a
relatively pH-neutral barrier. Several studies have demonstrated that the
alginate raft can preferentially move into the oesophagus in place, or
ahead, of acidic gastric contents during episodes of gastro-oesophageal
reflux; some studies further suggest that the raft can act as a physical
barrier to reduce reflux episodes. Although some alginate-based
formulations
also contain antacid components which can provide significant acid
neutralization capacity, the efficacy of these formulations to reduce
heartburn symptoms does not appear to be totally dependent on the
neutralization of bulk gastric contents. The strength of the alginate raft
is dependant on several factors, including the amount of carbon dioxide
generated and entrapped in the raft, the molecular properties of the
alginate, and the presence of aluminium or calcium in the antacid
components
of the formulation. Raft formation occurs rapidly, often within a few
seconds of dosing; hence alginate-containing antacids are comparable to
traditional antacids for speed of onset of relief. Since the raft can be
retained in the stomach for several hours, alginate-based raft-forming
formulations can additionally provide longer-lasting relief than that of
traditional antacids. Indeed, clinical studies have shown Gaviscon is
superior to placebo, and equal to or significantly better than traditional
antacids for relieving heartburn symptoms. Alginate-based, raft-forming
formulations have been used to treat reflux symptoms in infants and
children, and in the management of heartburn and reflux during pregnancy.
While Gaviscon is effective when used alone, it is compatible with, and
does
not interfere with the activity of antisecretory agents such as
cimetidine.
Even with the introduction of new antisecretory and promotility agents,
alginate-rafting formulations will continue to have a role in the
treatment
of heartburn and reflux symptoms. Their unique non-systemic mechanism of
action provides rapid and long-duration relief of heartburn and acid
reflux
symptoms.

"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
news
Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in
pregnancy - see PubMed abstracts below.



Baking soda is a direct "neutralizer" for stomach acid. It's not
*terrible*...but not great either for the same reason as other "antacids" in
that it tends to reduce the efficiency of digestion. If you want to see why
you belch, try mixing a little baking soda with vinegar... same idea.

Jenrose

"Jenrose" wrote in message
news:1098260676.2fmftV9wh60gKtf2KmLSSA@teranews...

"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
news
Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in
pregnancy - see PubMed abstracts below.



Baking soda is a direct "neutralizer" for stomach acid. It's not
*terrible*...but not great either for the same reason as other "antacids"
in that it tends to reduce the efficiency of digestion. If you want to see
why you belch, try mixing a little baking soda with vinegar... same idea.

Jenrose

Thanks Jenrose.

"Dave {Reply Address in.sig}" wrote in message
...
In message et, Todd
Gastaldo wrote:

Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in
pregnancy
- see PubMed abstracts below.


The main issue with baking soda, as well as some other preparations is the
amount of sodium ingested if you need a lot of relief.


Thanks. Not good for preeclamptic women someone said.

Todd

--
Dave
mail da (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org/
So many gadgets, so little time...

"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
k.net...

"Dave {Reply Address in.sig}" wrote in message
...
In message et, Todd
Gastaldo wrote:

Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in
pregnancy
- see PubMed abstracts below.


The main issue with baking soda, as well as some other preparations is
the
amount of sodium ingested if you need a lot of relief.


Thanks. Not good for preeclamptic women someone said.


Actually sodium is NOT bad per se for pregnant women, and may help prevent
PE in some. I don't know if it's the sodium or the sodium chloride that's
important though... It's very difficult to salt-overdose a pg woman. We need
the salt to allow the blood supply to expand appropriately, otherwise we
don't have enough salinity in the blood to keep excess fluid from leaking
into tissues surrounding the blood vessels....

Jenrose

"Jenrose" wrote in message
news:1098336716.FH+UVwXQwLJEMkyMgfZ5ug@teranews...

"Todd Gastaldo" wrote in message
k.net...

"Dave {Reply Address in.sig}" wrote in message
...
In message et, Todd
Gastaldo wrote:

Straight baking soda in water (tastes like sea water but always works
INSTANTLY for me...)

Is it contraindicated in pregnancy?

Appears to work similar to Gaviscon, which apparently is used in
pregnancy
- see PubMed abstracts below.


The main issue with baking soda, as well as some other preparations is
the
amount of sodium ingested if you need a lot of relief.


Thanks. Not good for preeclamptic women someone said.


Actually sodium is NOT bad per se for pregnant women, and may help prevent
PE in some. I don't know if it's the sodium or the sodium chloride that's
important though... It's very difficult to salt-overdose a pg woman. We
need the salt to allow the blood supply to expand appropriately, otherwise
we don't have enough salinity in the blood to keep excess fluid from
leaking into tissues surrounding the blood vessels....

Jenrose

Jenrose,

Thanks again.

Todd

PS Here's a 1998 study in accord with your thinking...

Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol. 1998 May-Jun;202(3):97-100. PubMed abstract...


[Sodium concentration and pre-eclampsia: is salt restriction of value?]

[Article in German]

Unger C, Biedermann K, Szloboda J, Wyss P, Huch A.

Klinik und Poliklinik fur Geburtshilfe, Departement fur Frauenheilkunde,
Universitatsspital Zurich.

The significance of sodium metabolism with respect to preeclampsia is
discussed in the literature with a wide range of diverging opinions. The
presented work analyses the influence of a low salt diet on the symptoms of
preeclampsia and the consequences for the newborn. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 160
patients with preeclampsia between 1989 and 1993 were retrospectively
studied. Serum sodium values (at hospital admission, lowest prepartal level,
immediate and 3-8 days postpartum) were compared with the corresponding
gestosis symptoms. RESULTS: The mean sodium serum concentration at admission
was 135.6 mmol/l (lower norm: 136 mmol/l). This was significantly different
from the mean lowest prepartal value of 134.9 mmol/l (p 0.0001).
Postpartum the mean fell again significantly to 134.0 mmol/l (p 0.0001).
None of the parameters for gestosis symptoms, which were investigated
(diastolic blood pressure, edema, proteinuria, serum protein levels and
hyperreflexia) showed any statistically significant association with the
serum sodium concentration. Five patients had very low serum natrium values,
130 mmol/l, either at admission or during hospitalisation. Three of the five
infants of these patients had hyponatremia; two needed sodium
supplementation. CONCLUSION: There seems to be no reason supporting a low
salt diet as therapy for preeclampsia, since it does not affect the symptoms
and might lead to hyponatremia in the newborn.


This one too...


Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Jan;184(2):231-2. PubMed abstract


Dilutional hyponatremia in preeclampsia with and without nephrotic syndrome.

Magriples U, Laifer S, Hayslett JP.

Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New
Haven, Connecticut, USA.

This report includes cases of hyponatremia in preeclampsia. Two patients
were identified with preeclampsia complicated by hyponatremia, one with and
the other without nephrotic syndrome. Together with 3 cases of hyponatremia
recently reported, these additional cases from the same geographic area
suggest that hyponatremia is not a rare complication of preeclampsia.



Then again...


Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2004 Oct;287(4):H1848-56. Epub 2004 Jun 17.

Auger K, Beausejour A, Brochu M, St-Louis J.

"A recent study showed that pregnant rats, on increased sodium intake,
present physiological changes that resemble those observed in
preeclampsia..."

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2003 Jul;285(1):H375-83.

Beausejour A, Auger K, St-Louis J, Brochu M.

"...pregnant rats on a high-sodium intake (1.8% NaCl) showed some
physiological responses that resemble manifestations observed in
preeclampsia."

Todd