Background information

Thursday 20^th November 2014

Hi Biloela,

I think you are right, I believe you are going through indigestion. Indigestion is the pain or discomfort in the stomach associated with difficulty in digesting food. Indigestion can happen when someone:  Eats too much, eats too fast, eating high-fat foods, or eating during stressful situations, Drinking too much alcohol, Cigarette smoking, Stress and fatigue and stomach infections. Antacids neutralize the acid made by your stomach. Antacids are alkaline because indigestion creates more acid in your stomach which therefore, means to neutralize the acid in your stomach you would use an alkaline (Antacids). Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in your stomach that is used to aid indigestion. This can reduce the symptoms of heartburn and relive pain.

About what your Gran mentioned that Baking soda is an Alkaline, she was correct! She was right about using baking soda as an antacid, if baking soda is dissolved into water it can be used as another form of an antacid however, researchers say if you take too much baking soda, as with any antacid medication, then you will neutralize the acid in the stomach itself. This may lead to headache, nausea or irritability. The levels of stomach acid can be reduced to such a degree that digestion is impaired and food not properly broken down. This in turn can lead to allergies and inflammation in other parts of the body.

There are other antacids that can be taken other than baking soda. One of them is calcium carbonate, this medicine helps relieve the symptoms and discomfort of heartburn and indigestion. The active ingredient calcium carbonate is an antacid and works by neutralizing excess acid in the stomach. This helps relieve the discomfort and symptoms caused by acidity such as heartburn and indigestion. This medicine is available as tablets that have to be chewed or sucked slowly before swallowing. Another form may be a liquid such as the Gaviscon® Regular Strength Liquid Cool Mint Flavor, the active ingredients include 95 mg of Aluminum Hydroxide and 358 mg of Magnesium Carbonate per tablespoon. The most effective antacid according to research is Mylanta. I hope you feel better soon with the advice that i have provided above!

Sincerely,

Dolly Doctor.

References

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7.    Unknown. (2014). Gaviscon. Available: http://www.gaviscon.com/how-gaviscon-works/antacid-products. Last accessed 20th Nov 2014.

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9.    Unknown. (2004). what is dyspepsia? What is indigestion? What is upset stomach? Available: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163484.php. Last accessed 20th Nov 2014.

10.  Unknown. (2005). Digestive Disorders Health Center. Available: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/nonprescription-medications-and-products-antacids-and-acid-reducers. Last accessed 20th Nov 2014.

11.   Unknown. (2014). Calcium carbonate antacids. Available: http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?medicine=Calcium%20carbonate%20antacids. Last accessed 20th Nov 2014.