What is heartburn?

Whenever you eat or drink, gravity and muscles allow the food to travel down the tube-like oesophagus to the stomach. Once in the stomach, the contents is normally prevented from going back upwards by a valve or sphincter found at the join between the stomach and the oesophagus.

When this valve becomes loose or is prevented from tightening around the top of the stomach the stomach contents can freely travel back up the oesophagus to the mouth again.

Certain foods, medicines and medical conditions can make acid reflux worse. The condition can be either temporary or permanent. If not treated it can result in damage to the oesophagus.

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What triggers heartburn?

Some foods and drinks stimulate acid production while others also relax the join between the stomach and the oesophagus. These include spicy foods, fatty foods, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus fruits, caffeine, chocolate and carbonated drinks Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals that can relax the join between the stomach and the oesophagus which is called the LOS.

Even something as simple as wearing your belt too tightly, or carrying extra weight around your abdomen, places increased pressure on your stomach which can result in heartburn.

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How do you prevent heartburn?

• Avoid lying down or bending after eating.
• Avoid triggers like spicy or fatty foods, alcohol and chewing gum.
• Try not to overeat.
• Eat slowly.
• Avoid tight clothing, like tight belts.
• Don’t exercise on a full stomach.
• Go to bed with an empty stomach and raise the head of the bed by 10-15cm.
• Get enough rest and avoid physical and emotional stress.

If you experience mild heartburn infrequently, taking antacids helps relieve the pain and discomfort.

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We are available for support

If you think you are taking too many antacids too often you can talk to our community pharmacists. We can help you with other medications that will help reduce the amount of acid in your stomach or support the stomach to empty more effectively.

For most people heartburn is simply just acid reflux. Consult our community pharmacists or doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Black bowel motions.
• Vomiting blood or dark granules.
• Symptoms associated with shortness of breath, sweating, chest, back or arm pain.

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