Frequent heartburn: Management
Managing frequent heartburn
Frequent heartburn can significantly affect an individual's quality of life.1,2
Individuals with frequent and moderate or severe heartburn can lose nearly 6 hours of productivity at work per week.1,3
Frequent heartburn can also disrupt sleep, potentially affecting social functioning and impact physical and mental health.3,4
By understanding your patients’ heartburn experience, including their triggers and how often they suffer, you can suggest lifestyle changes alongside appropriate treatment options that can help them take back control.1,5
Managing frequent heartburn
Lifestyle changes for heartburn sufferers
There are a number of lifestyle changes which can be recommended to reduce the occurrence of heartburn.
Do1,5,6,7:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Sleep on an incline by raising the torso on a wedge
- Wait 3 hours after a meal before lying down to sleep
- Wait 2 hours after eating before engaging in exercise
- Maintain a healthy weight – being overweight increases the likelihood of heartburn. If appropriate, counsel the patient to discuss healthy weight management strategies with a healthcare professional
Don’t1,5,6-8:
- Have foods and beverages that are likely to trigger heartburn. Common culprits include spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, onions, citrus products, tomato products (including ketchup), peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and caffeinated beverages
- Wear tight-fitting clothing around the abdomen
- Smoke – smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus
Recommending the appropriate treatment for your patient
The appropriate treatment will depend on the FREQUENCY of your patient’s heartburn1
If heartburn occurs 2 or more days a week then it is classified as frequent1,2 and sufferers may benefit from treatments which work by reducing the production of acid.1 Episodic (mild, moderate) heartburn may be managed by short-acting products which neutralize it or physically block acid from entering the esophagus.1
Scroll down to find out more about the range of treatment options for heartburn.
-
Antacids
![Image of antacids pack]()
Antacids: Last up to 3 hours9
Antacids are fast acting for short-acting relief of heartburn.2
Once they are in contact with the acid in the stomach they work by producing salt and water – therefore neutralizing the contents.1,9,10 They do not treat the cause of acid but alleviate the symptoms.
Once the stomach empties the effect of the antacid ceases, more stomach acid is produced, and the cycle starts again.
-
Alginates
![Image of alginates bottle]()
Alginates: last up to 4 hours9
Alginates form a surface or ‘raft’ over the stomach contents to stop reflux.1,10–13
Alginates do not affect acid production in the stomach – therefore they do not treat the cause but alleviate the symptoms.10
Dual action products may use antacids in conjunction with alginates.10–13
-
H2 receptor Blockers
![Image of H2 blockers pack]()
H2 receptor Blockers: last 4 to 12 hours9
By blocking the histamine receptor, H2 receptor blockers reduce acid production.1 However acid production still occurs with two other receptors found on the cells lining the stomach: gastrin and acetylcholine receptors.10
They offer intermediate duration relief and can provide symptom control for 4 to 12 hours. Symptom relief can occur 1 hour after dosing.9
-
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
![Image of Nexium PPI pack]()
PPIs: Last for up to 24 hours9
PPIs, such as esomeprazole, act by irreversibly blocking the proton pump on parietal cells to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach.1,9,10
The reduction of acid in the stomach gives the esophagus a ‘holiday’ from acid exposure and time to heal from the irritation that acid can cause.10
Effects are long lasting, with symptom control for up to 24 hours hence the need for once a day dosing.9,11
To find out more about Nexium 24HR and how it works click here.
How can Nexium 24HR help Michael?
Michael
Michael is 35 years old and has a busy job as a sales representative, which means he often travels.
For the past few months, he has been suffering with heartburn a couple of days a week. He notices it is worse at night and especially if he has eaten late or has a spicy meal.
He would like to find relief for his heartburn that lasts, but is worried about making his condition worse. He is open to taking medication and seeks a recommendation from a healthcare professional.
Nexium 24HR contains esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor.14 Just one pill a day could provide relief from Michael’s frequent heartburn.*
*May take 1-4 days for full effect. Take Nexium 24HR every day for 14 days. For heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week
Guidelines for frequent heartburn
OTC PPIs are recommended to treat frequent heartburn.1,2
Understand more about frequent heartburn
Overview of frequent heartburn
Find out more about frequent heartburn including a profile of a patient who may suffer with condition.
Educational resources
Access educational resources to support your team’s understanding of heartburn and its management.
Causes, triggers and impact
Find out more about the causes and triggers for frequent heartburn as well as the impact it can have on patients’ quality of life.
Learn more
Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole magnesium delayed release capsules USP)
One pill every 24 hours relieves frequent heartburn.14*
*May take 1-4 days for full effect. Take Nexium 24HR every day for 14 days. For heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week.
Sign up for updates
For news, updates and access to more resources please register now to join the community and be on our mailing list.
