Indigestion

Indigestion(acid reflux)  is caused by acid in the stomach coming back up into the throat or gullet. It is quite common after chemotherapy or surgery or radiotherapy particularly of esophageal or gastric cancers.  Radiotherapy to the head, neck or chest.  Acid reflux can cause symptoms such as:

• heartburn
• coughing
• a sore throat
• the sensation of having something in the throat
• a hoarse voice.
• Bloating
• Burping
• Feeling full easily after eating

Talk to your GP if you have any of these symptoms.

Tips for managing heartburn and indigestion

• Talk to your doctor. They can try to find out the cause and prescribe medicines to help reduce or relieve it for you. There are medicines that can help relieve irritation by neutralizing the acid
• Make a note of any foods that cause discomfort so you can avoid them
• Large meals, chocolate, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods, fizzy drinks, chewing gum, hard-boiled sweets, mint, aniseed and dill are all known to cause problems. You may want to limit or avoid these. When symptoms have settled, you can try reintroducing what you have been avoiding in small quantities, one at a time. This is so you can start to have a healthy balanced diet
• Wear loose clothing around your waist
• Limit activity for at least 45 to 60 minutes after eating
• Try not to lie flat on your back, especially after meals
• If you get a lot of indigestion at night, avoid eating, or drinking tea or coffee, for three to four hours before you go to bed. Sleep in a semi-upright position, propped up on pillows. If you need a drink, have water.
• Try to get to and maintain a healthy weight
• If you smoke, try to stop or cut down. The chemicals in cigarette smoke may make indigestion worse
• Saliva helps to neutralise stomach acids. So acid reflux may be more noticeable if your mouth is dry