4/2007Disorders during pregnancy and nonpharmacological treatment

GRAŻYNA HELENIAK (Samodzielna Sekcja Dietetyki Instytutu „Centrum Zdrowia Matki Polki” w Łodzi;Dyrektor Instytutu: prof. dr hab. med. Przemysław Oszukowski)

Summary
Nonpharmacological methods of preventing disorders suffered by pregnant women are described in this article. Nausea and vomiting, heart-burn, swelling, flatulences, obstruction are often resulted by a reaction of an organism of pregnant woman to hormonal changes as well as the change of lifestyle (lack of exercise, changes in eating habits e.g. irresistible urge to eat sweet products etc.). Nonpfarmacological methods of managing disorders mentioned above do not require introduction of additional treatment with medicines. They are also an improving factor for pharmacological treatment set by the doctor taking care of the pregnant woman. Very often in-troduction of small changes into the diet (proper choice of products as well as reduction of the improper food, appropriate schedule of meals throughout the day, choosing the right way of preparing the meals etc.) enables a big comfort of life and reduces the painful disorders during pregnancy. The disorders mentioned above are not necessarily a direct threat to life for both growing-up child and pregnant woman. Some of them are reduced gradually during the pregnancy period but all of them require a detailed diagnosis and care of a doctor and dietitian. The article contains practical application of dietetic advice which make it possible to prevent or reduce the disorders.

Key words: disorders during pregnancy, obstruction, nausea, swellings, vomiting, prevention