What Causes Indigestion & Acid Reflux? - Here’s How to Treat Them

Why Does My Stomach Hurt? Causes And How To Fix It

Acid reflux and indigestion have a habit of turning a good meal into hours of discomfort. Whether it is that gnawing burn behind your ribs, trapped wind, or a bitter flare in your mouth, living with digestive pain should not be your normal.

While these symptoms are common, they always have a physical trigger - from how stomach acid behaves after certain foods to the pressure placed on your digestive tract. Fortunately, targeted pharmacy treatments and straightforward daily habits make a rapid difference.

At 121 Pharmacy, we know that digestive problems can be uncomfortable to talk about. So, we’ve put together a guide explaining why flare-ups happen, what your body is doing, and the most effective ways to treat it.

What Is Indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is disruption in the upper digestive system. It happens when your stomach acid begins to overwhelm the stomach's natural protective lining, or when the muscles responsible for moving food along slow down.

The symptoms vary depending on how your stomach reacts:

• Early fullness - Feeling full after only a few mouthfuls of food.
• Upper abdominal burn - A sharp or gnawing pain between your navel and breastbone.
• Bloating and belching - Trapped gas caused by delayed digestion.
• Acid reflux - Fluid or partially digested food rising into the throat.

Triggers may include the frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (eg. ibuprofen), smoking, late-night meals, and high stress levels all of which strip the stomach's defences and increase acid sensitivity.

Occasional indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. However, if it keeps happening or your symptoms are becoming more severe, it is worth speaking to a pharmacist or GP to find out what could be behind them.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

Your digestive system relies on a simple muscular barrier called the lower oesophageal sphincter. Its sole purpose is to stay shut while your stomach churns food. Acid reflux happens when the barrier (lower oesophageal sphincter) fails to maintain its seal.

That failure can happen for two reasons:

• The valve relaxes - Caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol weaken the muscle fibres, allowing acid to leak through.
• Stomach pressure spikes - Large meals, pregnancy, or excess abdominal weight physically force the valve apart.

Timing makes this worse. When you stand or sit upright, gravity keeps your stomach acid down. When you lie flat, acid flows against the valve. Leaving three to four hours between eating and sleep will give your stomach enough time to empty, so you’ll be able to sleep easy.

What About Heartburn?

Heartburn is simply the pain that’s caused by reflux in action. Your stomach is built to handle strong acid; your oesophagus isn’t. When stomach contents leak through the muscular valve, the acid inflames the lining of your food pipe.

Which is what produces the classic symptom: a searing burn in the chest, often accompanied by a sour fluid rising in the throat. An isolated incident is easy to manage, but frequent bouts are a red flag for Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD).

Chronic acid exposure can cause long-term inflammation (oesophagitis), which is why regular heartburn needs structured medical treatment, not just occasional mints or chews.

Common Indigestion and Acid Reflux Triggers

You can manage occasional reflux by removing the physical and chemical triggers that cause flare-ups:

• Digestive delay - High-fat meals take hours to break down, keeping your stomach full and under pressure.
• Direct irritants - Acidic foods, strong spices, coffee, and fizzy drinks (which mechanically stretch the stomach) actively provoke the lining.
• Stress and tension - Anxiety slows down the journey of your food through the body leaving acid in contact with the stomach wall for longer.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers - These weaken the stomach’s defences against its own acid. If you need regular pain management, talk to a pharmacist about steps you can take to ensure your stomach is properly protected.

How to Treat Indigestion and Acid Reflux

Treatment depends on how often you experience symptoms and what is causing them. For occasional indigestion or heartburn, antacids can provide relatively quick relief by neutralising stomach acid. They are available in both chewable tablet and liquid forms.

One option available from 121 Pharmacy is Bisodol Original Peppermint Flavour. These chewable tablets contain calcium carbonate, light magnesium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate and are designed to provide relief from acid indigestion, heartburn and trapped wind. According to the product information, they are suitable for adults and children over 12 years.

The peppermint flavour and chewable format can make Bisodol a convenient option to keep at home for those occasions when indigestion or heartburn strikes. As with any medicine, always read the packaging and follow the recommended dosage. If you are unsure whether an antacid is suitable for you, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Other familiar options include Rennie tablets, which are antacids containing calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. They can be useful for occasional heartburn and indigestion and work by reducing the acidity of stomach contents.

For symptoms involving acid reflux, alginates can also be useful. Gaviscon, for example, forms a protective layer over the contents of the stomach, helping to prevent acid from travelling back up into the oesophagus. 121 Pharmacy stocks Gaviscon Double Action Mixed Berries Liquid, which is formulated for heartburn and indigestion relief.

If symptoms occur regularly, a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, may be considered. These medicines reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Esomeprazole is one example. Perrigo Esomeprazole 20mg is available from 121 Pharmacy and contains 20mg of esomeprazole.

Esomeprazole does not necessarily provide the same immediate relief as an antacid. The NHS notes that it can take two to three days to start working and longer to reach its full effect. If you buy esomeprazole from a pharmacy and your symptoms have not improved after two weeks, you should speak to a doctor.

Simple Lifestyle Changes That Can Help

Medicine can be helpful, but small changes to your everyday routine can make a noticeable difference too.

Try eating smaller meals, particularly if you find that large portions trigger your symptoms. Take your time while eating rather than rushing meals, and avoid lying down straight after eating.

If your symptoms tend to appear at night, try to leave at least three hours between eating and going to bed. Raising the head and shoulders while sleeping may also help reduce acid reflux symptoms.

It can also be worth reducing your intake of foods and drinks that you have identified as personal triggers. Cutting down on alcohol, caffeine and smoking may help, while maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on the stomach and help minimise reflux.

You do not necessarily need to remove every potentially triggering food from your diet. Instead, pay attention to your own symptoms. What causes reflux for one person may have no effect on another.

When Should You Speak to a GP or Pharmacist?

Most occasional indigestion can be managed with lifestyle changes and suitable pharmacy treatments. However, recurring or severe symptoms should not simply be ignored.

Speak to your GP if you keep getting indigestion, have severe pain, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, iron deficiency anaemia, or blood in your vomit or stools. These symptoms can sometimes indicate an underlying condition that needs further investigation.

You should also seek medical advice if you regularly need antacids or other treatments to control your symptoms. Antacids are intended to provide short-term relief and do not address every underlying cause.

A pharmacist can be a useful first point of contact if you are unsure which treatment is suitable. They can talk through your symptoms, medicines and medical history and help you choose an appropriate option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Treating Indigestion and Acid Reflux

If you are wondering how to treat indigestion and acid reflux, the right approach will depend on your symptoms, how often they occur and any other medicines or health conditions you have. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.

What is the quickest way to relieve indigestion?

For occasional symptoms, an antacid can provide relatively quick relief by neutralising stomach acid. Products such as Bisodol and Rennie are examples of antacids. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which option is suitable.

Is acid reflux the same as heartburn?

Not quite. Acid reflux describes stomach contents moving back up into the oesophagus, while heartburn is the burning sensation that can result from this reflux. They often occur together, but reflux can also cause symptoms such as a sour taste, cough or hoarse voice.

Can I take Gaviscon for acid reflux?

Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn and acid reflux. It works by forming a protective layer that helps prevent stomach acid from travelling upwards. Always check the product instructions and speak to a pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is suitable for you.

How long can I take indigestion medicine for?

It depends on the medicine. Some antacids are intended for occasional use, while medicines such as PPIs have specific directions about how long they should be taken. If you find that you need treatment regularly or your symptoms keep returning, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than continuing to self-treat indefinitely.

Can stress cause indigestion?

Stress and anxiety can contribute to or worsen indigestion for some people. If you notice a clear connection between stressful periods and your symptoms, consider looking at your routine, meal patterns, sleep and stress management alongside appropriate treatment.

Feel More Comfortable With the Right Approach

Indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux can be frustrating, particularly when symptoms start interfering with meals, sleep or everyday life. Understanding your triggers and making a few simple changes can often make a real difference.

For occasional symptoms, treatments such as Bisodol Original Peppermint Flavour can provide convenient relief from acid indigestion, heartburn and trapped wind. Other options, including Rennie, Gaviscon and esomeprazole, work in different ways and may be more suitable depending on the nature and frequency of your symptoms.

If you are unsure which treatment is right for you, speak to the team at 121 Pharmacy for friendly, professional advice. Taking the time to understand your symptoms is the first step towards finding relief and getting back to enjoying food and everyday life without the discomfort.