Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects many Nigerians with little medical remedy. While this condition is usually characterised by changes in the barrier between the stomach and the oesophagus, it causes regurgitation, nausea and chest pain.
This painful sensation when left untreated reduces the quality of life of the sufferer leading to serious health problems such as ulcers, stomach cancer and cancer of the oesophagus.
In a move aimed at improving health outcomes of Nigerians, experts have called for increased awareness and investment in diagnosis of reflux diseases such as heartburn as a way forward in management of the disorder in Nigeria.
Speaking to BusinessDay at the launch of Gascol sugar-free antacid suspension, Friday Enaholo, marketing manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc said that antacids reduce acidity by neutralizing acid, reducing the acidity in the stomach, and reducing the amount of acid that is refluxed into the oesophagus.
While efficacy of an antacid is measured by the quantity of the antacid required to provide relief from acid-related pain, extent of relief from such pain and length of time such patient stays pain free, Enaholo disclosed that an ideal antacid is effective in low doses, has low sodium content and no drug-drug interaction.
According to Enaholo: “Antacids are the fastest acting heartburn relief available. That is because they start to weaken the acid in your stomach the second they reach it. The weaker the acid in your stomach, the less likely it is to give you heartburn. The longer an antacid stays in the stomach, the longer it works.
“Gascol sugar-free antacid suspension, which comes in different variants is used to address gastic pain associated with hyperacidity in heartburn, gastric reflux and indigestion. The product helps in the relief of hyperacidity, which is referred to induced pain associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers. Enaholo went further to point out unique features of the antacid product.
“It gives more rapid and sustained symptom relief than conventional antacid, ideal for persons on sugar restricted diets and diabetics and it has a better safety profile. Gascol Sugar-Free antacid suspension has unique ingredients such as magaldrate USP, a unique chemical combination of aluminum and magnesium hydroxides that prevents gas accumulation. It is formulated to provide coating effect due to supplementary non acidic ingredient in the suspension,” Enaholo concluded.
Ola Ijimakin, general manager, marketing reiterated the efficacy of the product in aiding digestion of food, especially for those who eat late at nights. He pointed out that the packaging and branding of the products is distinct from other products as measures to eliminate counterfeiting of the product.
A peep into symptoms of heartburn include burning sensation around the chest region, and throat, difficulty in swallowing, feeling of food “sticking” in the middle of the chest or throat, etc.
While various lifestyle and dietary factors can contribute to heartburn, other factors implicated in causing heartburn in individuals include eating large portions of foods such as high-fat or spicy foods, citrus fruits, garlic, and tomatoes or tomato-based products; drinking certain beverages, including citrus juices, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and carbonated drinks; eating before bedtime, stress.
Alexander Chiejina
