Indigestion, heartburn & Gastiritis

Question 1

What are some red flags?

Answer 1

• Aged 50 or older
• Chronic persistent cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• A family history of gastric cancer with age of onset less than 50 years
  GORD that occurs at night
• A history of stomach ulcer
• Persistent, protracted vomiting
• signs of bleeding from rectum, black stools, blood in vomit
• unexplained weight loss

Question 2

Indigestion

What are the symptoms of indigestion?

What is indigestion a symptom of?

Answer 2

Also called dyspepsia, is a term used to describe pain or discomfort centred in the upper abdomen, often after meals

It usually occurs soon after eating, particularly when people eat too much, too fast, or with certain types of food

people may experience bloating, belching, or nausea

symptoms can occur occasionally or happen al l the time

The 3 most common conditions with indigestion as a symptom are gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric ulcers, and gall bladder disease

Question 3

Heartburn

Symptoms?

Cause?

Answer 3

Heartburn is usually described as a burning sensation behind the sternum, often with a feeling of acid regurgitation

Most cases are attributed to gord, which is thought to be caused by an ineffective lower oesophageal sphincter muscle. this muscle is unable to prevent regurgitation of stomach acid contents up the oesophagus

The condition is more common in
- women who are pregnant
- Those who eat a high fat diet
- Those who smoke
- those under stress

Question 4

What are some antacids and alginates?

How do they work?

Answer 4

• alginate sodium + calcium carbonate + sodium bicarbonate (eg gaviscon duel action)
• alginate sodium + calcium carbonate + potassium bicarbonate (eg gaviscon extra strength)
• aginic acid + aluminium + calcium + magnesium + sodium bicarbonate (mylanta duel action)

Antacids neutralise stomach acid and are recommended for people with mild, occasional indigestion-like symptoms

Alginates precipitate out when in contact with gastric acid, thickening the contents or forming a raft that sits on top of the stomach contents. this protects the lining of the oesophagus when the contents regurgitate upwards

Question 5

What is a proton pump inhibitor?

How does it work?

Answer 5

Omeprazole

Used for short-term symptomatic relief of reflux like symptoms in adults aged 18 years and older

Acts directly on gastric acid-releasing cells in stomach

Question 6

What is an anti-flatulence agent

how does it work?

Answer 6

• simethicone (De-gas)
• Simethicone breaks up large bubbles of air in the stomach and relieves burping and flatulence