Indigestion, Heartburn and Gastritis
If you get pain or discomfort in your stomach area or chest after eating or drinking certain things, you may be suffering from indigestion or heartburn. Indigestion and heartburn are more common in people who are overweight, smoke or have a stressful lifestyle.
Indigestion
Almost every adult gets indigestion at least once in their life, usually as a result of over indulging in food or drink. Symptoms usually include pain in the stomach area above the belly button, burping, feeling sick or bloated, and sometimes a swollen tummy. Although symptoms are most often related to food, in some people, indigestion can also occur on an empty stomach, after certain medications, with spicy or fatty foods, or stomach ulcers. Very rarely, it can be a symptom of stomach cancer.
Heartburn
Also known as stomach acid reflux, heartburn can occur in association with indigestion. Heartburn happens when the acid contents from your stomach escape back up into your oesophagus (passage leading from mouth to stomach). This causes a burning sensation behind your breastbone, rising up towards your throat. A bad taste in the mouth is common. It often happens after eating, exercising or lying down. It is also more common during pregnancy because the stomach is pushed upwards by the baby. Babies can also get reflux, and symptoms include vomiting straight after a feed, not putting on weight, and prolonged bouts of crying.
Gastritis
Gastritis has symptoms similar to indigestion, except the pain or burning feeling felt around the stomach area tends to be present for most of the day. Some people may also feel sick, or vomit.
Gastritis can be caused by a number of different things including some medications, alcohol, stomach ulcers, or a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. If you think you may have gastritis you will need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you think the pain might be from your heart – if it radiates through your jaw, neck, shoulders or arm and/or it gets worse when you exert yourself – seek medical help immediately.
If you have other medical conditions, take regular medication for any reason, are elderly or frail, or if the person with the indigestion or reflux is a child you should always talk to a pharmacist. Also talk to the pharmacist if:
Your abdominal pain is severe or prevents you from doing things
Your bowel motions are tarry and black
You have unexplained weight loss
You have heart or kidney disease
You have heartburn or indigestion regularly, or if it is happening more often than before
You need to use antacids more than three or four times a week, or for more than two weeks in a row
You have difficulty or pain when you swallow
Your symptoms persist for most of the day
You also have bouts of coughing
You are vomiting – especially if it is blood-stained (look out for either fresh red or brown ‘coffee grounds’)
You are over 40 and this is the first time you have had indigestion or heartburn
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You are not allowed too much sodium in your diet
You have allergies to any medicines
You have tried indigestion or heartburn remedies before and they have not worked.
Treatment Tips
Try to avoid foods you know will cause you indigestion or reflux problems
Instead of having large meal portions, eat smaller meals more often
Reduce your alcohol intake
Avoid wearing tight clothes or belts around the stomach area
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.
Treatment Options
Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Products to relieve stomach pain and discomfort (antacids)
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Mylanta Original, Mylanta Double Strength, Titralac
Antacids work by neutralising stomach acid and are used to relieve indigestion symptoms
Most antacids contain magnesium or aluminium or calcium, or a mixture to help 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
Antacids work for longer if taken after food
Liquid antacids work more quickly than tablets.
Products to relieve pain caused by stomach acid rising up the oesophagus (alginates)
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Gaviscon Cool Liquid/ Tablets, Gaviscon Liquid/ Tablets, Gaviscon Double Strength Liquid/ Tablets, Gaviscon Dual Action Liquid/ Tablets, Gaviscon Infant, Mylanta Heart Burn Relief
alginates form a ‘raft’ above your stomach contents, either preventing them being regurgitated up towards your throat, or if the contents are regurgitated, protecting the lining of your oesophagus from 'acid-burn' as the contents rise up from your stomach
These barrier medicines also contain acid neutralisers so can be used in people who suffer from both indigestion and heartburn.
Products to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach
Histamine H2 receptor blockers
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Zantac Relief, Zantac Extra Strength
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
[PHARMACY ONLY] or [PHARMACIST ONLY]
e.g., Losec, Solox Relief
These medicines are effective for short-term relief and prevention of indigestion, gastritis and heartburn, and work by reducing the amount of acid produced by your stomach
They should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks unless prescribed by a doctor
The Losec tablet may be dispersed in water or fruit juice.
Products to reduce 'wind' (anti-flatulence agents)
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., De-Gas, Mylanta Original, Mylanta Double Strength
Simethicone helps to reduce flatulence (wind) and bloating by breaking up trapped bubbles of gas.
Other products to help relieve discomfort
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., peppermint (Mintec)
[SUPPLEMENT]
e.g., Radiance ManukaGuard Nutralize
Peppermint oil is a traditional remedy for indigestion and many people find it very effective although in some people it may make heartburn worse. Not to be taken by children or during pregnancy unless recommended by a doctor
Radiance ManukaGuard Nutralize contains apple cider vinegar which has an acid/alkaline balancing effect and manuka honey which has a natural antibacterial action.
Natural/herbal products/supplements
e.g., ginger and kawakawa, chamomile, slippery elm powder or tablets
Ginger may help with the absorption of food and symptoms of indigestion
Chamomile aids digestion
Chewed slippery elm tablets can provide a protective layer over the lining of the oesophagus and soothe heartburn.
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINE available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
