Heart burn

farawayfairy · 19-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Just wondered whether there was anything I could do to help heart burn? I don't have any gaviscon and it's too late to go out and get any now. Also something which preferably doesn't involve consuming calories (e.g. I know milk is supposed to help) because I'm really struggling with food right now. If there is nothing then sorry for wasting space!

MTBM_x · 19-10-2009, 11:39 PM

It depends why you are getting heart burn. I get it from anxiety and the like, if you think it's caused becuase of that then try some deep breathing, try to calm yourself down and take some ordinary painkillers like ibuprofen / paracetamol. They can help with that sort of thing. Maybe try to relax, distract yourself? Those sorts of things generally work for me.

Aidee · 20-10-2009, 06:29 AM

If you have a calcium vitamin that may help, but no guarantees. Baking soda, which has the same ingredients as anti-acid medications may also help.

If you are restricting a lot you are probably going to start having issues with heart burn and acid reflux, which can cause damage to your stomach lining and your esophagus.

Animad · 20-10-2009, 06:38 PM

Just want to point something out that was mentioned earlier; DON'T take Ibuprofen for this, it causes increased secretion of acid into the stomach and reduces the proection of the stomach lining and so can worsen the problem.

Really the best thing would be to go to the pharmacy and get some Gaviscon/ Rennies/ similar and see if they help (though if you do have it you could try baking soda aswell, only a small amount, maybe a large pinch). Milk can also really help so you could try skimmed milk maybe? That would also do you some good generally because of the Calcium in it. I know it has cals in it but could really help with you overall and skimmed milk doesn't have that much.

If it continues for longer than a couple of days/ worsens/ you start vomiting up blood which looks like coffee granules or pass black tarry faeces then you need to consult a doctor.

farawayfairy · 20-10-2009, 10:38 PM

Thanks. I'll see if I can try some milk and go and buy some gaviscon tomorrow. May have to invest in some skimmed milk because I might find it easier to have that.