Get the better of heartburn this Christmas

Publication Date:19/12/2007

Introduction

Roast dinner with potatoes, sausages and sprouts, followed by plum pudding and mince pies...it's no wonder that Christmas can leave you with an uncomfortable case of heartburn. Read our advice on how to cope.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning feeling that usually starts just below your breastbone and rises into your throat. You may get a sour or bitter taste in your mouth. The symptoms may feel worse if you lie down.

The pain of heartburn varies from person to person. But if you're at all worried about chest pain, you should see your doctor, to make sure you don't have more serious problems.

You get heartburn when the acid from your stomach flows up into your oesophagus (the tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach). Usually, the muscles controlling the valve at the top of the stomach means food can get in, but not out again. But when you have heartburn, acid escapes past the valve out of the stomach.

Most people get heartburn only once in a while, usually after drinking alcohol or eating rich or spicy food.

But if you have heartburn regularly (twice every week or more), you could have what doctors call GORD. This stands for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

How can I avoid heartburn?

For most people, heartburn usually happens when you've over-indulged in rich food or alcohol.

These are some of the things you can try to avoid getting heartburn:

Cut down on caffeine (for example in chocolate, coffee or cola drinks) and alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol may relax the valve that holds the stomach closed, and irritate the oesophagus.
Eat smaller amounts of food in one sitting, so your stomach has less food to process in one go.
You may find that some types of food, for example spicy, sugary or fatty food, or onions, often give you heartburn. You could try eating less of these types of food, to see if it makes a difference.
When you eat, try to sit up straight.

In the longer term, losing weight and giving up smoking may help. People who are seriously overweight are more likely to get heartburn, because of pressure around the stomach area. This can push acid back into the oesophagus. And smoking weakens the muscle that holds the stomach valve closed.

What treatments could I try?

To ease your symptoms, you can try medicines called antacids, which you can buy over-the-counter at a pharmacy. Research shows that these drugs provide short-term relief by coating the lining of the oesophagus and stomach to protect them from acid. Some also contain substances called alginates. These form a gel in your stomach that may stop stomach acid escaping. There are lots of different types of antacids, and they come as tablets and liquids.

Two other types of medicine that are available over-the-counter are ranitidine and omeprazole (omeprazole is available only from pharmacies). Research has shown that these medicines work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.

You can use over-the-counter medicines for an occasional attack of heartburn, but if you find you are getting symptoms regularly, you should visit your doctor.

Sometimes medicines for heartburn can cause side effects, or react with other medicines you are taking. Also, some medicines are not suitable for everyone. Read the information on the pack carefully, or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. If you are pregnant, it's best to ask your pharmacist or GP before using medication.

If you've over-indulged and you feel very uncomfortable, you could also try raising the head of your bed (for example on books) so that you sleep with the top half of your body higher than your feet. One small study of people who had regular heartburn (GORD) suggested this may help.

What if I get heartburn all the time?

If you have heartburn regularly (twice a week or more) you may have a condition called GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).

In people with GORD, the ring of muscle that sits between your oesophagus and your stomach doesn't work properly. The muscle opens even when food isn't passing through, and may stay open for too long. This means acid can flow back into the oesophagus easily. The acid irritates your oesophagus and can make it inflamed.

If you get regular heartburn, you should see your GP, especially if you are over 55, the symptoms are bad or have lasted for a long time. You might need some tests to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong.

If your GP is happy that there's nothing serious to worry about, he or she may prescribe medicines to reduce the amount of acid that your stomach makes. These drugs work well to control GORD.

To find out more about heartburn and GORD, see our information on heartburn.

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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.