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Managing 7 symptoms of heartburn and indigestion clock5 Min

Start

Managing 7 symptoms of heartburn and indigestion clock5 Min

Start

In Sponsored education

Learn from key healthcare brands with a range of sponsored education to help your understanding of how to use and advise on products in the pharmacy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this module, you will:

  1. Understand the causes of reflux
  2. Be able to identify 7 symptoms of heartburn and indigestion
  3. Feel confident recommending an effective product to manage your customers’ symptoms
  4. Be able to provide self-care advice to your customers.

ONE IN THREE PEOPLE in the UK experience symptoms of reflux. 1

As you saw in the video, the language your customers use to describe their symptoms may not be the same terms that you use in the pharmacy, such as the terms ‘heartburn’, ‘indigestion’ or ‘dyspepsia’, so it can be tricky to find out the underlying cause of their symptoms.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MAIN CAUSE
OF THE SYMPTOMS OF REFLUX IS?

Choose one of the options below

TOO MUCH ACID
IN THE STOMACH

INCORRECT

Try again

THE STOMACH CONTENTS
FLOWING BACK INTO
THE OESOPHAGUS

CORRECT

The symptoms of reflux occur when the contents of the stomach, such as acid, bile and pepsin, physically flow back into the oesophagus rather than staying in the stomach 2

TRIGGERS FOR REFLUX

Reflux can be triggered or made worse by: 3

  • Certain foods and drinks such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Stress and anxiety
  • An increase in some types of hormones, such as progesterone and oestrogen
  • Some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
  • A hiatus hernia, when part of the stomach moves up into the chest.

Research has shown that some customers may be unsure what their symptoms mean and what they should do to ease them 4

“Sometimes I’m not sure whether what I’m feeling is heartburn, indigestion or something else. I want a complete solution that will work no matter what I feel.”
“When I have heartburn or indigestion, it can feel like I’m having a lot of symptoms. It’s not always clear what I should take to ease them.”

You are in an ideal position to find out more about their symptoms and recommend an effective product to help provide relief.

This video module aims to increase your knowledge about the symptoms of reflux and how your customers may describe them, as well as giving you the confidence to recommend an effective product to manage your customers’ symptoms.

Research showed that 26% of pharmacists felt that referral to a doctor was needed for a customer presenting with symptoms of reflux that could have been managed with an effective OTC product. 5

Essential information and information on adverse event reporting is available at the end of the module.

Content developed by Reckitt working with CIG Healthcare Partnership.
© 2023 CIG Healthcare Partnership

Job number: RKT-M-34414   August 2023