Heartburn & Indigestion

Improved acid reflux through lifestyle change and medication Learn how lifestyle changes and medication can help acid reflux

Acid reflux is the name given to the symptoms you get when stomach acid regurgitates into your gullet (oesophagus). It’s a very common problem, which affects up to 1 in 4 adults¹.

Lifestyle changes

Most of the lifestyle changes centre around reducing the pressure on the stomach and making it harder for acid to get into the oesophagus.

Smoking - quitting smoking is always a good idea, easing your reflux symptoms is an added incentive.
Food - some foods, such as peppermint, tomatoes, spicy foods, chocolate may need to be avoided. Keep a food and drink diary to work out your triggers.
Alcohol - keep alcohol to a minimum.
Clothing - don’t wear tight belts, girdles or trousers.
Posture - avoid sitting hunched or bent forward for long periods.
Eating habits - eat smaller, more frequent meals, eat earlier in the evening (at least three hours before bedtime).
Weight - try to lose weight if you’re overweight.

Medication

There are four types of medicine used in managing the symptoms of acid reflux; Alginates, antacids, H2RA’s and PPI’s.

If your heartburn is mild and infrequent, adapting your lifestyle and taking antacids is often enough to manage symptoms associated with the condition.

If your symptoms are more severe or more frequent, you may be advised to consider an acid-suppressing medication. Your pharmacist can advise on both forms of treatment and which would be best for you.

Antacids and Alginates

Antacids neutralise excess acid in the stomach and alginates form a protective raft over the stomach contents.

An antacid and alginate combination provides fast-acting, effective relief. It soothes symptoms and provides relief for up to four hours.

Acid-suppressing medication

There are two groups of acid-suppressing medications available – proton pump inhibitors and histamine receptor blockers (H2 blockers). Both reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. They do not start to work as quickly as antacids or alignates, but their effect can last longer.

References

¹Reference: MASON, J & HUNGIN, A. P. A. (2005). Review article: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease – the health economic implications. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeautics, 22(s1), 20-31. https://doi/org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02606

Article published 1 January 2021

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