UNDERSTANDING GI SYMPTOMS

GI symptoms include:^2,3,4

• HEARTBURN

  A burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux)

• NAUSEA (feeling sick)

  Can have several causes including overeating and food poisoning

• INDIGESTION

  Acid from the stomach irritating the stomach lining or throat

• UPSET STOMACH

  An uncomfortable feeling in the stomach often accompanied by bloating

• DIARRHOEA

  Passing watery stools more frequently.

Customers will often experience more than one symptom at a time; for example, heartburn and nausea or an upset stomach and diarrhoea, or customers may describe a range of symptoms using a broader term such as an upset stomach.¹

Symptoms will often progress, too – for example, moving from nausea to diarrhoea.

GI symptoms are typically triggered by consuming certain foods and drinks - particularly fatty or spicy foods, coffee and alcohol - but ingestion can also be triggered by stress or anxiety.⁴ Symptoms can also be linked to gastrointestinal infections, such as food poisoning or other infections.²

Some symptoms will need further investigation (red flags), so it is important to know when to refer to the doctor or pharmacist. Customers should be referred if:^3-5

• Symptoms are no better or are getting worse after a few days

• There is severe diarrhoea and a high temperature or severe stomach pain

• There is blood or mucus present in faeces

• Vomit is yellow or green or contains blood or ‘coffee grounds’

• They are experiencing recurrent indigestion

• There is unintentional weight loss

• They find any lumps or masses

• They are having difficulty swallowing

• They show signs of dehydration.

Certain patient groups also need further care because they may be more vulnerable to dehydration.
These include:⁵

• Young children or babies

• Elderly customers

• Pregnant women.

There are several over the counter medication options available to manage heartburn and indigestion symptoms or diarrhoea:^2,5-7

ANTACIDS AND ALGINATES can help to relieve symptoms in the short term

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs) work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach

LOPERAMIDE works to stop diarrhoea for a few hours. Oral rehydration sachets can be used alongside this treatment to prevent dehydration

BISMUTH SUBSALICYLATE works by forming a protective coating over the lower part of the oesophagus as well as the lining of the stomach, protecting it from stomach acid to help relieve heartburn and indigestion symptoms as well as nausea. It also works in the intestines on lower GI symptoms, such as diarrhoea and upset stomach.

In addition to using products, there are other ways your customers can help manage or prevent symptoms.
Customers can be advised to:^2,4,8

• Avoid foods and drinks that make indigestion worse or trigger indigestion (e.g. rich, spicy and fatty foods, coffee and alcohol)

• Not eat within 3-4 hours before going to bed to reduce indigestion symptoms

• Raise the head of the bed when sleeping to stop stomach acid from travelling up the throat

• Quit smoking, if they smoke

• Eat small regular meals rather than large meals

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration

• Eat a healthy balanced diet

• Maintain a healthy body weight.