Contenido:

HEARTBURN

Heartburn usually has other symptoms such as full stomach feeling, belching, abdominal swelling and regurgitation of gastric acid juices towards the mouth.

All these symptoms may be due to organic lesions (such as stomach ulcer or hiatus hernia) or there may not be a clear and concrete cause (these cases are called functional dyspepsia, caused by smoking, alcohol or anxiety).

The treatment should focus on:

• Reassuring the patient.
• Diet changes: avoid foods related to the discomfort and that increase acid production in the stomach. In that sense coffee, caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol and flatulent foods (legumes, sprouts, etc.) should be avoided, reduce fat intake and avoid smoking. Eat small amounts quite often (5 to 6 times a day). Refer to APPENDIX 5, COMMON DIET AGAINST ULCERS OR GASTRIC PROTECTIVE).
• Avoid positions that increase the symptoms. Sleep half sitting.
• Symptomatic treatment: antacids, such as algedrate + magnesium hydroxide (DRAWER 2, first aid kits A, B, and C), but during short periods of time. They should be given one to three hours after meals and at bedtime. Milk is not an efficient antacid.

Stomach-ache is not relieved by analgesics; aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication are usually counter indicated.

If discomfort persists after days despite having followed these instructions, you must ask for MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO .