Causes of gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women

Gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women often occurs, which will directly affect the absorption of food and nutrition of pregnant women, and is also harmful to health. Therefore, for every pregnant woman, it is necessary to understand what exactly causes gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women so as to find a scientific solution. The following are some causes of gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women.

1. Primary gastroesophageal reflux

Primary lower esophageal sphincter insufficiency is the cause of primary gastroesophageal reflux disease. Through various examinations of patients with reflux symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux was confirmed. However, in some patients, no cause of reflux can be found; this is called primary lower esophageal sphincter insufficiency. This situation is more common in the elderly, which may be related to the relaxation of connective tissue in the elderly, the weakening of the "spring clamp" effect at the esophageal hiatus, and the decline of the intrinsic function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Secondary gastroesophageal reflux

Any factor that causes a decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease. The details are as follows:

1. Hiatal hernia

Because hiatal hernia destroys the normal anatomical relationship of the esophageal hiatus, causing incomplete closure of the LES, gastroesophageal reflux occurs. In a sliding hiatal hernia, the connection between the esophagus and the stomach is in a vertical direction, that is, a concentric structure. Therefore, the His angle disappears, and the connection between the esophagus and the stomach becomes a vertical channel, which loses the anti-reflux valve function; the abdominal esophagus moves upward into the chest cavity and loses its function of resisting intra-abdominal pressure; the septum is stretched and becomes weak, eliminating the supporting function of the lower esophageal sphincter; the hiatus is enlarged, and the "spring clip" function of the septum is lost. The above auxiliary functions of the lower esophageal sphincter are eliminated when the hiatus defect exists, making the lower esophageal sphincter insufficient to resist the intra-abdominal pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux is bound to occur. According to statistics, 85% of patients with reflux esophagitis have hiatal hernia, and more than half of the cases of hiatal epilepsy have reflux esophagitis. Hiatal epilepsy is a common cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

After analyzing the above contents, everyone should now know what factors are likely to cause gastroesophageal reflux in pregnant women. By mastering these contents, we can effectively solve this problem when we find it, thereby reducing it as much as possible, because gastroesophageal reflux has an adverse effect on the healthy growth of pregnant women and fetuses.