Indigestion & Heartburn

Indigestion is a broader term that can be used to describe a wide range of digestive issues. Heartburn is a specific type of indigestion that occurs when stomach acid escapes and finds its way into the oesophagus. 

Indigestion generally refers to when acid from your stomach irritates your stomach lining or throat. This made worse by certain foods and drinks, particularly those high in fats or spicy foods. This includes alcohol, chocolate, red meats, tomatoes coffee amongst others.

Other causes can include:

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Stress and anxiety
• Pregnancy
• Stomach ulcers

Indigestion can be felt in different ways. Symptoms might include feeling full, bloated or sick after eating and drinking. You might also experience burning, bloating, or discomfort in the upper abdomen, or heartburn, which is a painful burning feeling in the chest. 

Indigestion can be treated at home without the need to see a GP. Weldrick’s Pharmacy offers a range of treatments to help ease the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn including liquids, tablets and capsules.

These types of indigestion relief should be taken instead of paracetamol or ibuprofen, which can make indigestion worse.

In addition to taking medication for indigestion, t​here are some simple steps and lifestyle changes you can implement day-to-day to help you reduce indigestion and its symptoms:

• Reduce the amount of tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol
• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Sleeping in a more upright position; raising your head and shoulders can prevent stomach acid from coming up during sleep
• Avoid fatty, spicy and rich foods
• Avoid smoking

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, known as the oesophagus. When food is swallowed, a band of muscle around the bottom of the oesophagus relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into the stomach. With heartburn, your stomach acid comes back up and causes an uncomfortable sensation. 

Other factors that can increase your chance of experiencing heartburn include:

• Eating spicy or fatty foods, including red meats, chocolate
• Drinking tea, coffee and fizzy drinks like cola
• Stress
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy
• Stomach ulcers or some types of bacterial infection

As the name suggests, the primary symptom of heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest. 

Other symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux might include an unpleasant, sour taste in the mouth, bad breath and a cough and/or hiccups. As heartburn is esesentially a type of indigestion, you may also experience sickness.

Heartburn is often worse immediately after eating or when lying down. This is because it’s easier for stomach acid to travel upwards toward the mouth when you are not in an upright position.

This can often be worse when lying down, as it makes it easier for stomach acid to travel upwards toward the mouth.

Heartburn and acid reflux are often used interchangeably, however, they are different symptoms that are often both experienced at the same time.

Heartburn refers to a burning sensation or pain in the chest that typically occurs after eating and when lying down.

Acid reflux is the regurgitation of stomach acid into the oesophagus and back up towards the mouth, which can lead to an unpleasant taste. This can sometimes be an indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

The symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn can often be eased through lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking and wearing loose-fitting clothes, or trying to lose weight if you’re overweight.

An approved eating schedule can also help, such as:

• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Eating smaller portions more frequently
• Scheduled meal times - avoiding eating less than four hours before bed
• Avoiding spicy foods, foods that are high in fat, or anything you notices triggers your heartburn.

Weldrick’s also offers various types of relief for acid reflux and heartburn

There are various treatments available to help with acid reflux and heartburn. Weldrick’s offers a large selection of oral medicines including tablets, capsules and liquids. 

These products specifically help with indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux, and should be taken over other painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol which can make your symptoms worse.

For acid reflux in children, you should speak with your GP before administering anything.

Speak with one of our pharmacists if you need additional advice or have questions about any of our products.