Hervey Bay Local Health News

Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the upper abdomen or chest, occasionally up as far as the throat. Indigestion is the discomfort you may feel after eating or drinking too much. Heartburn and indigestion can often be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes. Some medicines may also be helpful.

Heartburn
Heartburn is a symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This is due to the valve between your food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach not closing properly.

Stomach acid can then wash back (reflux) into your food pipe, causing a burning pain and sometimes inflammation of the oesophagus lining.

Symptoms
Heartburn may be felt as:

• a painful burning feeling in the centre of the upper abdomen or chest, sometimes moving up to the back of your throat

a ‘lump’ deep in your throat

an acidic, sour or bitter taste in your mouth.

Heartburn can sometimes cause a cough or sore throat. It is often made worse by lying down, bending forward or straining.

Indigestion
Indigestion is a general term for stomach discomfort which occurs after eating or drinking.

Symptoms
Indigestion can feel like:

• a bloated stomach, often relieved by burping
• discomfort or pain in the stomach
• stomach cramps
• wind and/or flatulence
• nausea

Risk factors
You are more likely to get heartburn or indigestion if you:Â

eat rich, spicy or fatty food

drink alcohol and / or smoke

eat too quickly or have a diet low in fibre

are over-stressed and anxious

are overweight

are pregnant, particularly later in the pregnancy

• eat a large meal

• are physically active soon after a large meal.

Self care
Heartburn and indigestion can often be managed through a few lifestyle changes.

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Some medicines or drugs taken by nursing mothers may affect the baby through the mother’s milk. Medicines and drugs include prescription and non-prescription medicines, herbal medicines, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine and illegal drugs.

The use of any medicine or drug while breastfeeding must be thought about carefully, weighing up all the pros and cons. When breastfeeding, always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine or drug.

RISKS
Some medicines or drugs can pass to the baby through the mother’s milk.

This may:

• make the baby restless or irritable
• cause vomiting and diarrhoea in the baby
• affect the suckling reflex of the baby

The medicine or drug may also lessen the mother’s milk supply.The benefit to the mother of taking the medicine or drug must be weighed up against the potential risks to the baby.

SELF CARE

•  Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine , whether
  prescription or non-prescription.
• Only take medicines that are prescribed for you.
• If you have to take a medicine while breast-feeding, have the baby checked regularly for any adverse effects that may occur.
• Take any medicines straight after the baby has fed to ensure the lowest level of medicine in the milk at the next feed.
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. If you do smoke now is the time to quit - talk to your pharmacist and read the Smoking Fact Cards.
• Don’t worry if you must take a medicine - your continued good health is important for successful breastfeeding.
• Remember that breastfeeding has nutritional, emotional, physical and practical benefits for you and your baby.

Contact:
Your doctor - listed under Medical Practitioners in the yellow pages of the phone book.

Nursing Mothers Association of Australia - listed under ‘N’ in the white pages of the phone book.

Dietitians Associations - listed under ‘D’ in the white pages of your capital city phone book.

Beachside or Kawungan Pharmacies - our contact details are here.

In case of poisoning, phone the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask your pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine