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Why can certain food and drinks
cause heartburn?
Heartburn can be triggered by eating food that's difficult to digest because this will cause your stomach to produce more acid. Coffee, chocolate and alcohol are thought to be key causes of heartburn because they can make the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach relax, allowing stomach acid to leak back into the oesophagus.
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Why can stress cause heartburn?
When you feel up tight or under stress, your body goes into 'fight or flight' mode, releasing adrenaline and diverting blood away from the stomach. As a result the muscles in the wall of your stomach contract less frequently and the digestive process becomes less effective. When your body realises that digestion is not happening properly it produces more stomach acid which can build up until there is an excess. If this stomach acid leaks into the oesophagus it can cause heartburn.
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Why is heartburn
common during pregnancy?
During pregnancy a woman's body produces the hormone, progesterone, which slows down digestion and causes the muscular valve between the oesophagus and the stomach to relax, increasing the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux. As a result stomach acid is more likely to leak into the oesophagus and cause heartburn. Also, as the baby grows, pressure on the stomach increases and this can force stomach acid into the oesophagus, again causing gastro-oesophageal reflux.
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What is gastro-oesophageal
reflux?
When you eat or drink something it passes down the oesophagus into the stomach. Gastro-oesophageal reflux occurs when the contents of your stomach travel back up into the oesophagus. Unlike vomiting, gastro-oesophageal reflux can happen without you realising.
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Why does gastro-oesophageal
reflux happen?
There is a ring of muscle at the lower end of the oesophagus which is there to stop gastro-oesophageal reflux. When you eat or drink something the muscle relaxes to allow the food or liquid to pass into your stomach. Then it tightens up again when you've finished. Gastro-oesophageal reflux happens if the muscle becomes slack or relaxes at the wrong time.
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What is GORD?
GORD is short for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, the name given to damage to the oesophagus caused by stomach acid as a result of gastro-oesophageal reflux.
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What is GERD?
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease - is just another name for GORD.
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What is Reflux Oesophagitis?
Reflux Oesophagitis is the medical term for inflammation of the oesophagus caused by stomach acid as a result of gastro-oesophageal reflux.
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Could taking Rennie® antacid
tablets have any harmful effects on my body?
If you stick to the recommended dose (for adults, no more than 16 tablets in 24 hours), the calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate in Rennie® antacid tablets should have no harmful effects. If you're in any doubt, check with your doctor first.
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Is Rennie® suitable to take during pregnancy?
All Rennie® products can be used during pregnancy if taken as instructed and if prolonged intake of high dosages is avoided.
A panel of independent medical experts advised that calcium/magnesium-based
antacids, such as Rennie® Peppermint, Spearmint, Rennie® Sugar Free and Rennie®
Fruit, should be the recommended treatment for women who suffer from
heartburn during pregnancy because of their good safety profile. However it
is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any remedies
during pregnancy.
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Do I need a prescription
for any Rennie® remedies?
No. You can buy all Rennie® remedies over the counter at any pharmacist, supermarket or local store.
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