What is Heartburn or GERD?

What are the Symptoms of Heartburn or GERD?

Heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is not a disease but a symptom of burning discomfort in your chest, usually associated with an acid taste in the mouth. It is also referred to as indigestion or dyspepsia and is associated with drinking and eating.

What causes heartburn?

It is caused by the reflux of the acid contents of the stomach back up the oesophagus (gullet) and sometimes into the throat. It may be caused by a ring of muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach does not close fully, and may be associated with a hiatus hernia.

Factors that bring it on are:

· Particular foods (e.g. cabbage, onions, cucumber, curries, pastries – especially pies and pasties, fruit cake)

· Certain drinks (e.g. wine- especially red wine, beer carbonated drinks, coffee)

· Eating too fast

· Rich or big meals

· Chewing gum long and hard

· Stress and anxiety

· Pregnancy

· Old age

· Certain drugs (e.g. antirheumatism drugs, aspirin)

· Obesity (a common factor)

What tests are done?

Tests may not be necessary, but if it persists or your doctor is concerned about an ulcer, X-rays may be taken or a tube called a gastroscope may be passed down into the stomach to inspect it.

How can it be prevented?

Don’ts

· Bolt your food down

· Eat standing up

· Smoke

· Eat fatty foods (e.g. pastries)

· Eat spicy foods

· Eat large or rich meals

· Bend over for work

· Strain at toilet

· Drink wine with meals

· Eat foods that ‘ burn’

· Drink coffee or alcohol late at night

Dos - Heartburn Remedies (The GERD Diet)

· Eat in a slow and relaxed manner

· Eat sitting down

· Avoid foods that ‘burn’

· Eat small or moderate meals

· Squat rather than bend

· Keep your bowels regular

· Avoid stress : relax!

· Reduce your alcohol intake

Gastrointestinal Tract Absorption of Nutrients

What is the Treatment for GERD?

· Attending to the above preventive advice can bring heartburn relief

· Learn what brings on your heartburn and deal with it

· Take antacids when you feel your heartburn coming on and before bed at night.

· Make sure that you get to your ideal weight, should you be overweight

· Your doctor may prescribe other medicine to help

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

Diarrhea Treatment, Learn what is Gastroenteritis, Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Heartburn or GERD

Treatment for Diarrhea

What is Gastroenteritis?

Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms, Causes & Prevention of Heartburn or GERD

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Gastro-oesophageal Reflux or heartburn can also occur in children, causing abdominal pain.

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Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella).

Part of MOH's Swab & Go Home programme. Our clinic can carry out the COVID-19 Swab test for anyone who meets the MOH medical criteria. All individuals aged 13 and above, diagnosed with ARI will be COVID Swab-tested. Cost of Swab test to be borne by Ministry of Health Singapore.

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine in Singapore

Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine is now available @ MD International Medical Centre. Make a Vaccination or Booster Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661. Learn more about Sinopharm here.

Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine has now been approved for use by private clinics in Singapore against the COVID-19 virus under the Special Access Route. It is the first China-made vaccine to be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

To date, more than a billion doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV have been administered. The vaccine has also been approved for use in over 50 countries around the world.

Inactivated vaccines are a tried-and-tested form of vaccine technology which is used in other well-established vaccines, such as the Flu and Hepatitis B vaccines.

If you would like to receive the Sinopharm vaccine or booster, please make your appointment at MD Int'l Medical Centre at Tel: 6694 1661.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Brain

COVID Symptoms to watch out for:

SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection of Human Organ Tissues through Cell ACE-2 Receptors:

Ministry of Health Recommendation :

For persons who have already completed their Primary series with mRNA vaccines and are recommended to get a booster, but are unable to take another dose of mRNA vaccines for medical reasons, they may boost using one dose of Sinopharm vaccine. The booster should be taken six months after mRNA dose 2 (M-M-S).

For persons who are unable to take the the 2nd dose of mRNA vaccines for medical reasons, they may complete their vaccination with the Sinopharm vaccine. 2 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine is recommended to complete the Primary series. The 2nd Sinopharm dose should be taken 28 days after the 1st Sinopharm dose (M-S-S).

For recovered persons who had not completed a primary series before infection:

For persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection but received 1 dose or none of COVID-19 vaccination prior, they may receive 2 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine (28 days interval between doses), 3 months after the date of infection to complete a primary vaccination series (Recovered-S-S or S-Recovered-S-S or M-Recovered-S-S).

For persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection and had received 2 doses of Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines prior, they may receive 1 dose of Sinopharm after 3 months from the date of infection to complete a primary vaccination series (S-S-Recovered-S).

Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible.

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

Singapore is free from vaccine-preventable diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) because of our successful immunisation progamme.

National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) Singapore @ MD International Medical Centre. Make your vaccination appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

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The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

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Make your appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

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