Reflux reminder

Reflux and heartburn are exacerbated by all the things we love this time of year: wine, chocolate, hearty meals, late nights (and one thing we don’t: stress!). Recently, the Therapeutic Goods Administration recalled several medicines containing ranitidine (such as Zantac and generic alternatives) used to treat these conditions, due to the risk of contamination with a probable carcinogen (N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA). Your GP or chemist can advise on suitable alternatives and lifestyle changes may help. Avoid trigger foods and drinks, eat smaller meals, finish eating two hours before bed, sleep with your head raised and exercise gently.