Persistent heartburn should be taken seriously

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Persistent heartburn should be taken seriously

Carmen Pope

Heartburn and indigestion

Healthcare Handbook technical editor Carmen Pope looks at heartburn, including its causes, symptoms and treatment, as well as how to distinguish it from a heart attack

TAMATI IS A 40-something-year-old Māori man who asks for treatment for his heartburn. He says it has got really bad lately and is happening most days.
References

1. Pope C (Tech Ed). Indigestion, Heartburn and Gastritis. Healthcare Handbook 2023–2024. Auckland, NZ: The Health Media Ltd; 2023.

2. New Zealand Formulary. 1.1 Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. NZF v138; 1 Dec 2023.

3. Mayo Clinic. Heartburn. 13 May 2022.

4. BPACnz. Stopping proton pump inhibitors in older people. 24 January 2019.

5. Medsafe. Medicines containing ranitidine and a potential impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). 26 January 2021.

6. Pharmac. H2 Antagonists. Community Schedule; December 2023.