We have all experienced it at some time or another. That burning feeling in your chest, the intense discomfort in your throat and sour taste in your mouth. For many, it may feel as if you have food stuck in your throat. This unpleasant sensation can lead to coughing, hoarseness and bad breath.

This is heartburn and affects millions of sufferers around the world. Far from having anything to do with your heart, heartburn is caused when stomach acid becomes backed up in the oesophagus, the part of your body that moves food from your mouth to your stomach.

Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. This burning sensation occurs when stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus through a flaw in the valve that connects the oesophagus and the stomach. Acid backwash then flows back up through your oesophagus into your throat and mouth.

The most common causes of heartburn include the consumption of certain foods, including coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods. Other factors include being overweight, smoking, the use of certain medications, and an increase in certain hormones including progesterone and oestrogen. Stress and anxiety are also thought to exacerbate heartburn.

Pregnant women are more prone to experiencing heartburn, due to the added pressure on the abdomen and stomach.

Chronic acid reflux occurs when your stomach acid persistently flows back up into your mouth through your oesophagus. This is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD. Most people experience heartburn every now and again, but if you are suffering from  heartburn two or more times a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

According to the Annals of Medicine 2022, the overall burden of GERD continued to worsen globally, with prevalent cases increasing by 77.53% from 441.57 million in 1990 to 783.95 million in 2019.

With GERD, it’s important to begin treatment early as stomach acid can damage the oesophagus and lead to a variety of conditions. Once such condition is esophagitis, which is when the lining of the oesophagus becomes more susceptible to erosion, ulcers, and other injuries because of stomach acid. This can also lead to pain when swallowing.

Damage to your teeth is another risk factor of untreated GERD. When stomach acid travels all the way up into the mouth, it can damage the enamel of your teeth, which can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Some lifestyle changes that may alleviate heartburn include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding trigger foods and eating food slowly and thoroughly. For those who suffer from heartburn when lying down, some tips include elevating your pillow or lying on your left side, which could make it less likely for acid reflux to occur. Ideally, heartburn sufferers should wait at least three hours before lying down.

Fortunately, heartburn can usually be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn or acid indigestion medication.

Gelusil Plus® is an antacid suspension that can be taken to relieve heartburn. This treatment has a dual mode of action that neutralises stomach acid whilst creating a barrier to reduce acid reflux into the oesophagus^.

 Sodium alginate, the main ingredient in Gelusil Plus®, is a naturally occurring substance found in a particular type of seaweed. In the presence of stomach acid, the sodium alginate reacts to form a gel. Another ingredient, sodium bicarbonate, also reacts with the acid in the stomach to form bubbles of carbon dioxide. These bubbles are trapped by the gel, allowing it to float on top of the stomach contents. This stops stomach acid from flowing back up into the oesophagus which relieves reflux symptoms like heartburn. Calcium carbonate is a compound, which along with the sodium bicarbonate, also have an antacid effect. They bind to and neutralise excess acid in the stomach, which relieves the pain and discomfort of indigestion and heartburn.

Gelusil Plus® is available as a suspension, which is also suitable for use during pregnancy.

Also available in the Gelusil range is Gelusil-S tablets. Available in packs of 24 lemon-spearmint flavoured tablets, each tablet contains 200 mg aluminium hydroxide dried gel and 200 mg magnesium hydroxide to relieve heartburn and acid indigestion as well as 20 mg simethicone, which relieves bloating and gas.

Speak to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about chronic acid reflux or if you are worried about any potential long term health issues related to heartburn or GERD. This is particularly important if you are suffering from chronic acid reflux more than twice a week for several weeks. Your healthcare provider can assess what the possible causes might be or whether further medical intervention may be required.