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Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
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Indigestion (dyspepsia) is the term used to describe pain or discomfort after eating, although it can also occur on an empty stomach. Indigestion has many causes, including overeating, eating spicy or fatty foods, some medicines and stomach ulcers. Very rarely, it can be a symptom of stomach cancer.
Heartburn (stomach acid reflux) is a common feature of indigestion. Heartburn happens when the acid contents from your stomach escape back up into your oesophagus (gullet). This causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone, rising up towards your throat. It often happens after eating, exercising or lying down, and is more common during pregnancy because the stomach is pushed upwards by the baby. If heartburn happens regularly it is referred to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
Other common symptoms of indigestion include excess gas or wind, and feeling bloated.
Indigestion is more common in people who are overweight, smoke or have a stressful lifestyle, and can be frequent in pregnant women.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if you think the pain might be from your heart, i.e. if it radiates through your jaw, neck, shoulders or arm and/or it gets worse when you exert yourself; seek professional medical help immediately
if you have severe abdominal pain
if your bowel motions are tarry and black
if you have unexplained weight loss
if you have heartburn regularly, or if it is happening more often than before
if you need to use antacids more than three or four times a week, or for more than two weeks in a row
if you have taken other heartburn medication (such as ranitidine or pantoprazole) for two weeks with inadequate relief of symptoms
if you have difficulty or pain when you swallow, or choking when you sleep
if you also have bouts of coughing
if you are vomiting, especially if it is blood-stained (either fresh red or looks like brown ‘coffee grounds’)
if there is a family history of gastrointestinal cancer
if the person is over 40 or under 12 years old
if you are taking other medication, especially aspirin or anti-inflammatories, e.g. ibuprofen
Treatment Tips
avoid foods you know cause you indigestion problems (such as fatty and spicy foods)
eat smaller meals more often
reduce caffeine intake
reduce your alcohol intake
avoid wearing tight belts
try to keep your bodyweight in the healthy range
stop smoking
avoid bending over or lying down after a meal to help prevent your stomach contents being pushed upwards and causing heartburn
if you have heartburn at night, try sleeping with your upper body in a more propped up position, and avoid eating for two hours before bedtime
most antacids contain magnesium and/or aluminium and/or calcium; they work by neutralising stomach acid
magnesium antacids may cause diarrhoea
aluminium and calcium antacids may cause constipation
some antacids contain aluminium and magnesium to try and reduce any effect on the bowels
antacids may reduce the absorption of some medicines and need to be taken two hours apart from them; check with your pharmacist
products with a high sodium content, such as effervescent tablets containing sodium bicarbonate, should be avoided by people with heart disease, high blood pressure and in pregnancy
some antacids may not be suitable for people with kidney disease
Barrier medicines (alginates)
[GENERAL SALE] e.g. Gaviscon range, Mylanta Heartburn Relief
alginates form a ‘raft’ above your stomach contents, either preventing them being regurgitated up towards your throat, or if the contents are regurgitated, reducing the ‘acid burn’ as it rises from your stomach
these barrier medicines also contain acid neutralisers
they are used in combination with magnesium, sodium, calcium and aluminium salts
they may not be suitable for people with heart or kidney conditions; check with your pharmacist
[PHARMACY ONLY] e.g. ranitidine 150 mg, packets of 28 tablets (Gavilast 12 Hour Action Tablets, Mylanta Ranitidine 12 Hour Action, Zantac Relief), ranitidine 300 mg, packets of 14 tablets (Zantac Relief Extra Strength)
[PHARMACIST ONLY]
Proton pump inhibitors
e.g. pantoprazole, packets of 14 or fewer tablets (Somac Heartburn Relief), rabeprazole (Pariet 10)
histamine H2 receptor blockers and PPIs are effective for short-term relief and prevention of indigestion and heartburn, and work by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach
they should be taken long-term only when prescribed by a doctor. If symptoms persist after a two week course, seek medical advice
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