GORD (Heartburn)

GORD is a common condition and is one of the most frequent causes of indigestion and heartburn.

In this article:

What is GORD?

Effect on your life

Advice & Support

Symptoms

Treatments

Causes


How Chemist Online can help

What is GORD?
GORD stands for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (also known as acid reflux), and is an unpleasant burning feeling in the chest which rises to the throat. This occurs when stomach acid leaks back up into the oesophagus (the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach).

GORD is often a chronic condition. This means that if you suffer from it, you may experience recurring episodes for the rest of your life.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of GORD include a burning sensation in the chest, and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties and also hoarseness due to the acid reflux irritating the larynx and respiratory tract.

Causes
When the ring of muscle that sits between your oesophagus and your stomach weakens over time and fails to function as it should then GORD can occur. Acid seeps through the ring up into the throat in a sort of ‘backwards motion’, and can feel uncomfortable.

This can happen as a result of excessive alcohol intake, smoking, eating fatty foods, being pregnant, or suffering from constipation.

Chocolate, coffee and fruit juices can all aggravate the condition.

Also, eating a large meal once a day rather than eating little and often can cause GORD to occur.
Effect on your life
Many people who suffer from GORD experience a lower quality of life due to their symptoms. For dietary reasons, going to a restaurant can be almost impossible. Sleep disturbances can also occur as well as limitations in physical activities such as playing sports or even bending over to empty the dishwasher or pick up a pen.

Treatments
Losing weight, avoiding large, high-fat meals (and bedtime snacks), reducing coffee and alcohol consumption, and stopping smoking can all help to ease the symptoms of GORD.

For most people, over-the-counter antacid tablets or liquids give fast, short-term relief.

If these, as well as lifestyle changes, prove ineffective then make an appointment with your GP. He or she will consider whether stronger medication is required, or if further tests, such as a gastroscopy, should be carried out.

How Chemist Online can help
We have a range of products available that can help you to tackle GORD: such as Bisodol Indigestion Relief Tablets. These are highly effective triple-action peppermint tablets which aid the relief of acid indigestion. We can also recommend Gaviscon Liquid Peppermint which is formulated to provide cool heartburn relief you can actually feel working.


www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
CORE - Digestive Disorders Foundation
Tel: 020 7486 0341
E-mail: info@corecharity.org.uk
Website: www.corecharity.org.uk


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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