[26F] Pregnant with chest and throat discomfort

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, the symptoms you're experiencing could be related to:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of muscle between your esophagus and your stomach. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn) that might radiate up towards your neck and throat. It's particularly common in pregnancy due to hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus.

  • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, prescription medications or surgery might be necessary.

• Cough Headache: A type of headache triggered by coughing and other types of straining — such as from sneezing, blowing your nose, laughing, crying, singing, bending over or having a bowel movement. Doctors divide cough headaches into two categories. Primary cough headaches are usually harmless, occur in limited episodes and eventually improve on their own. Secondary cough headaches, also called symptomatic cough headaches, are more serious, as they can be caused by problems within the brain.

  • Treatment of primary cough headaches might involve certain types of medication to prevent or reduce the pain. Secondary cough headaches often require surgery.

What you can do

1. For GERD, try to identify any food or drink that might be causing your symptoms and avoid them. These can include fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine. Eating smaller meals, not lying down for 3 hours after eating, and raising the head of your bed may also help.
2. For the cough headache, try to avoid coughing if possible. If you have a persistent cough, it would be worth seeing a doctor to treat the underlying cause of the cough.
3. It's important to stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Severe chest pain or pressure, especially if it radiates to your arm, neck or back
• Vomiting blood or black material (resembling coffee grounds)
• Stool that is black, bloody, or tarry
• Sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before
• Weakness, dizziness, sudden loss of balance or coordination
• Difficulty talking or understanding speech

Remember, while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor. Please consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment.