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Managing 7 symptoms of heartburn and indigestion

The symptoms of reflux

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MCQs

module menu icon The symptoms of reflux

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module menu icon The symptoms of reflux

THE SYMPTOMS OF REFLUX

Georgio is a customer in his 40s who says he thinks he might have indigestion and asks if you can recommend something.

You ask Georgio to describe his symptoms; he says that once or twice a week he experiences a burning sensation in his chest, stomach discomfort and sometimes a sharp pain rising in his food pipe.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING
WOULD YOU DO AT THIS STAGE?

Click on one of the options below

SUGGEST THAT GEORGIO IMPLEMENTS SOME LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND MODIFIES HIS DIET

INCORRECT

Georgio has not provided any information on his current lifestyle or diet. While lifestyle changes, including a modified diet, might help to relieve some of Georgio's symptoms, at this stage you do not have enough information to make this decision. You may want to ask him some further questions to decide whether his symptoms could be managed with an OTC product, or whether you should refer him to his GP.

REFER GEORGIO TO HIS GP

INCORRECT

Georgio has described symptoms that could indicate he has reflux. Asking Georgio further questions will help you decide if his symptoms could be managed with an OTC product or whether they warrant a referral to his GP.

ASK ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GEORGIO'S SYMPTOMS

CORRECT

Georgio has described symptoms that could indicate he has reflux. Asking Georgio further questions, including about his lifestyle and diet, will help you decide if his symptoms could be managed with an OTC product or whether he needs to be referred to his GP.

 

On further questioning, Georgio says that his symptoms usually occur after he has eaten. His symptoms tend to be worse if he has been out with his mates for a curry and a few pints of beer. Georgio isn’t taking any medicines, doesn’t have difficulty swallowing and keeps himself active by going to the gym and playing squash a couple of times a week. Georgio does not mention any symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING
WOULD YOU NOW DO?

Click on one of the options below

REFER GEORGIO TO HIS GP

INCORRECT

Georgio has described symptoms of reflux and has not mentioned any symptoms that may indicate a more serious condition. Recommending an effective OTC product and providing self-care advice can help to alleviate Georgio’s symptoms.

PROVIDE GEORGIO WITH SELF-CARE ADVICE TO HELP MANAGE HIS SYMPTOMS

INCORRECT

While self-care advice may provide Georgio with some symptom relief, you could also recommend an OTC product to take, in addition to making lifestyle changes.

RECOMMEND AN EFFECTIVE OTC PRODUCT AND PROVIDE GEORGIO WITH SELF-CARE ADVICE TO HELP MANAGE HIS SYMPTOMS

CORRECT

You could recommend a combination OTC product containing antacids and an alginate, and provide self-care advice to help alleviate Georgio's symptoms.

Click CONTINUE to find out more about an effective OTC product to relieve the symptoms of reflux.

SELF-CARE ADVICE3,6
WHEN TO REFER CUSTOMERS3,7

Self-care advice you can provide to your customers includes: advice on healthy eating; eating smaller, more frequent meals; not eating within 3 or 4 hours before bed; losing weight if they are overweight; not wearing clothes that are tight around their waist; not drinking too much alcohol; and stopping smoking if they smoke.

You can also advise customers to try to avoid triggers that they associate with their symptoms. These include smoking, alcohol, chocolate and fatty foods.

Raising the head of their bed by 10-20cm, so their chest and head are above the level of their waist, can help stop stomach acid from travelling up towards their throat.

Customers should be referred to their GP if:

  • Pharmacy medicines and lifestyle changes are not helping their heartburn
  • They have heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more
  • They also have other symptoms, such as food getting stuck in their throat, difficulty swallowing, frequently being sick, have bloody vomit or poo, or have lost a lot of weight without meaning to.

Managing 7 symptoms of heartburn and indigestion

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