By Marge

08 November 2007 10:47

I suffer a lot with indigestion and none of the over the counter remedies seem to offer any relief. Is there anything you can recommend?

What is this?

 

Yours Expert Answer

By Yours Health Expert

From time to time we all suffer from indigestion pains and gut problems. In most cases the cause is nothing serious, but it’s always important to get any persistent pain checked out by your GP.  

That’s because indigestion pains can be symptomatic of all kinds of conditions from a stomach ulcer to a hiatus hernia – so it pays to make sure it’s nothing serious. Whatever the cause,  you want to get rid of the discomfort.

Our easy-to-follow guide should help you do just that...  

Stomach Ulcer
Caused by ensitive raw patches (similar to mouth ulcers) found in the lining of the stomach. Many are caused by the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori (H pylori), but smoking, side-effects of aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, stress and alcohol are other factors. So losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol and relaxation techniques can help.

The symptoms include severe pain at the top of the stomach, between the ribs and sometimes through to the back, a burning sensation and vomiting.
Your GP should get you tested for H. Pylori and treat your ulcer with drugs called proton pump inhibitors and a course of antibiotics. Surgery for stomach ulcers is only done in severe cases.

Acid reflux
If you experience a burning pain in the chest starting just after meals, pain in the breast bone and an acid taste in the mouth, it’s possible you have acid reflux. Caused by acid rising up from the stomach these symptoms are often worse at night and when lying down.

Avoid big meals late at night and spicy fatty foods. Don’t lie down or bend over straight after a meal, avoid rushing food or tight waistbands. Stop smoking, and lose weight if you are overweight.

Take an antacid remedy such as Rennie Soft Chews (£2.69 for 16 tablets), Gaviscon (£2.99 for 16 tablets). If these don’t work, try  Zantac (£1.99 for 6 tablets).
See your GP if you suffer symptoms on a regular basis.