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Heartburn symptoms

Some of the symptoms that come with heartburn are:

  • Uncomfortable burning sensation / Pain in the chest/ Heartburn in the chest
  • Acidic or bitter, salty taste in the back of the throat or throat pain/ irritation
  • Difficulty in swallowing

Heartburn causes:

There are often no obvious causes, but it can be brought on by:

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Pregnancy
  • Fatty or spicy food
  • Drinks such as coffee or alcohol
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking

Why does stomach acid back up in the oesophagus?

The juncture where the oesophagus and the stomach meet is known as the cardiac or lower oesophageal sphincter. When the cardiac juncture functions properly, it shuts as soon as food travels from the oesophagus and enters the stomach.

However, in some people, the cardiac sphincter does not function properly or is weak and as a result, contents from the stomach, along with the acid, travel back into the oesophagus. This condition is known as reflux or acid reflux and is the cause for heartburn.

How long does heartburn last?

Heartburn symptoms can last between a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on the severity and how quickly it is treated. Try Gaviscon, World’s No. 1 Heartburn Specialist^. It provides quick relief from heartburn and indigestion and lasts upto 2X longer vs ordinary Antacids.*

However, if the heartburn continues even after medication, or occurs a few times a week or more, please consult your doctor.

 

Heartburn Treatment

A lot of what you do every day can trigger heartburn. Hence, the best way to treat heartburn is with lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and living healthy.

Here are a few lifestyle changes that could help with heartburn treatment:

  • Do not lie down right after a meal
  • Avoid tobacco products
  • Avoid alcohol, chocolate, and caffeinated products
  • Do not eat spicy food
  • Watch your weight
  • Do not take medications or painkillers without consulting a doctor

Certain foods and drinks are also a reason for heartburn. Here’s a list of such foods and drinks:

  • Tomatoes and other citrus fruits
  • Fried or oily food
  • Peppermint
  • Carbonated drinks

How does Gaviscon work?

It all starts with sodium alginate. Refined from brown seaweed harvested from the shores of Norway, this effective formulation acts as a powerful barrier against discomfort and provides instant relief. 

When the sodium alginate comes into contact with the irritating gastric acid, the alginate becomes a “raft”. It forms a protective barrier over your stomach contents, stopping acid from rising and soothing the burning sensation in your chest.

In short? You get fast relief from those unpleasant sensations that both heartburn and indigestion sufferers know so well.  

The Gaviscon formulation does not enter the bloodstream. It’s a safe and effective product that’s free from gluten - with Gaviscon Liquid containing no sugar at all.

As a second line of protection, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate act as antacids, countering the problematic acid in the process. The protective barrier lasts 2X longer vs. antacids.

For fast and effective aid, Gaviscon has you covered.

^Claim based on information aggregated and reported in part from data supplied by Nielsen through its Retail Measurement Services for the defined category (RB defined) for the 12 month period ending June 2020, for the defined RB geographic focus.

*Comparing Gaviscon with select ordinary antacid

i. Chevrel B. A comparative crossover study on the treatment of heartburn and epigastric pain: Liquid Gaviscon and a magnesium--aluminium antacid gel. J Int Med Res. 1980;8(4):300-2.

ii. Mandel KG etal. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Jun;14(6):669-90

Article published 19 July 2021