Welcome to Gävle University

Welcome to Gävle University
My hope, naturally, is that during your time with us that you will remain fit and healthy.
This, however, is not always the case in life. For this reason, a short description of how our
Swedish healthcare system works is provided below.
Depending on where you live in Gävle, your residential area is served by a specific
Hälsocentral (Healthcare centre). This is the first service agency you should turn to if you are
in need of medical attention or pharmaceutical treatment. Your local Hälsocentral is open
Monday to Friday during the week. Your first contact should be made by telephone (see list of
numbers below).
When you call a Hälsocentral, a pre-recorded voice greets you to the Healthcare centre you
have reached. You will be requested to follow instructions and punch in your telephone
number with the touch-tone keys of your telephone. After you have done this, you will be
informed of the approximate time a nurse can return your call. Lastly, the pre-recorded voice
will repeat the telephone number that you have given. When a nurse returns your call, your
health concerns can be discussed and a healthcare centre appointment can be booked
depending on the nature of your condition.
If you do not know which Healthcare centre serves your residential area you can call
Sjukvårdsupplysningen 11 77, which is in service around the clock. Similar to other
countries, you can dial 112 in the event of a medical emergency.
The Swedish healthcare system recommends that individuals treat minor health problems on
their own through the purchase of non-prescription drugs and medications, which can be
bought at your local pharmacy. At the pharmacy, you can receive help and advice regarding
your health problem. Nurses at your local Hälsocentral also offer assistance and treatment,
however not everyone is examined by a doctor.
If you are uncertain about what to do you are welcome to pay us a visit at Studenthälsan (the
Student Health Center). I am a registered nurse with district nurse competency.
Studenthälsan is open Mondays 13:00-15:00, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:00-11:00. If
you contact me in advance, other visit times may be booked. If there is something I am unable
to treat or administer, you will receive advice regarding your needs. This, however, does not
include writing prescriptions. A doctor is on site at our student health center 2 hours/week but
deals only with psycho-social assessment. Such a visit is booked in advance through the staff
at Studenthälsan. An examination of health and fitness, including laboratory testing is
conducted at your local Hälsocentral. Testing for chlamydia and HIV as well as pregnancy
tests, however, can be done here at Studenthälsan.
Sincerely,
Anita Larsson
Student Health Center Nurse
1.

Important telephone numbers:
Maturnity Care Center
Gävle Hospital
Open to those over 22 years old who are in need of
contraceptives or are pregnant.
Tel. 026-15 59 70
Monday-Friday 08:00-10:00
Monday-Thursday 13:00-14.30
Gävle Youth Clinic
Open to those under 23 years old who are in need of
contraceptives.
Tel- 026-15 55 70
Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday 08:00-09:00
Monday-Thursday 16:00-17:00
Youth clinic for males under 23 years old
Fridays 12:00-14:00
Drop-in for birth control pills
For those who need a new prescription
Monday-Thursday 13:00-15:00
Sex Counselling
Gävle Hospital, entrance 15
Tel. 026-15 42 16
Monday and Thursday 12:00-13:00, 16:00-17:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30-10:30
Drop-in for males
Thursday 14:00-16:00
Läkarhuset Gävle
(Gävle Medical Building)
Staketgatan 32
Physical therapist/chiropractor
For those in need of vaccinations or health
certificates
Tel. 026-15 75 60
See Yellow Pages in the telephone book
2.

Hälsocentraler (Healthcare Centres)
Andersberg Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026-15 77 00
Bomhus Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026-15 77 20
Brynäs Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026- 66 23 20
Gävle Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026- 66 21 80
Hälsocentralen Stortorget 08:00-17:00 tel.026- 15 75 00
Strömsbro Hälsocentral 09:00-17:00 tel.026-15 77 50
Sätra Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026-15 77 77
Södertulls Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026- 15 55 31
Valbo Hälsocentral 08:00-17:00 tel.026-15 77 80
1. Back pain
2. Catarrh and blocked noses
3. Constipation
4. Coughing
5. Diarrhoea in adults
6. Headaches
7. Heartburn and indigestion
8. Travel- sickness
Information from the social insurance office about dental care
A person that temporary stays in Sweden, even if they are nationally registered, has in most
cases not right to get compensation for dental care.
The rules are different between medical service and dental care. You can have more
information at www.forsakringskassan.se. You can also make a call to the customers
information 0771-524 524

1. Back pain
Ryggvärk
Helpful facts about back pain
Back pain, with or without radiation to the legs, is a common problem from which most of us
suffer at some time during our lives.
Back problems can be initiated by incautious movements, by lifting using incorrect techniques
or by excessive strain to the back. Sometimes there is no apparent reason for the pain.
In some cases, pain strikes suddenly and this is called a crick in the back or lumbago. The pain
usually goes away within 1 to 3 weeks.
In other cases, the pain can creep up on you, lasts a long time and tends to reoccur.
When the pain spreads to your legs, this is called sciatica. It may be caused by nerve irritation
or a pinched nerve.
When should I seek assistance?
Get in touch with the medical care services if:
• you have severe back pain
• the back pain follows an injury or accident
• you have constant or increased pain during the night
• you have difficulty urinating, retaining urine or bowel movements, at the same time as you
have back pain
• you experience weakness or reduced feeling in your legs or feet
• you have backache in conjunction with a fever
• you have back pain and are very tired or lose weight for no apparent reason
• children below the age of 18 years have back pain
• persistent back pain occurs for the first time after the age of 55
you have tried curing yourself for the first 2 to 3 weeks, but have not become better
What can I do myself?
Healing will progress more rapidly if you try to keep mobile and basically continue as normal.
During the first one to two days, try to avoid any movement that causes pain, and similarly avoid
carrying or lifting. If you have pain during the night, you should rest in the position that causes the
least pain possible, for example with your legs raised by a cushion.
How do i prevent back pains?
• Exercise!
• Get yourself into good basic condition by exercising regularly. Choose a form of exercise
that you enjoy (walking, swimming, cycling, skiing).
• You will be able to deal with your back problems better if you are in good shape, both
physically and psychologically.
• Build up your muscles! It is good to build up abdominal and leg muscles, since you use
them when lifting
• Lift correctly!
Hold the object you are going to lift as close to your body as possible. This reduces the
strain on your back.
• Teach yourself!
Learn about work techniques and correct working posture. Your district health care centre
or corporate healthcare service will be able to assist you.

Are there prescription-free medicines?
When you require temporary relief from back pain, you can take a prescription-free pain
reliever. Dont take more tablets at a time or more often than stated on the package. Higher
doses than those recommended do not increase pain relief. Taking too many tablets every
day can also have serious consequences.
If you have, or have had, an ulcer, asthma or an increased propensity to bleed (for
example, get nosebleeds easily), you should take paracetamol, such as Alvedon, Curadon,
Panodil or Reliv. If you do not have any of these problems, you can take a pain relief
tablet containing ibuprofen, such as Alindrin, Ibumetin, Ipren or a tablet containing
acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), for example Bamyl-S brus or Magnecyl brus.
Termo plaster can be used to relieve muscle pain in the affected area, for example the
lower part of the back. These plasters should not be used for children under the age of 12
years.

2. Catarrh and blocked noses
Snuva och nästäppa
Helpfull facts about catarrh and blocked noses
Blocked noses are usually caused by an increase in the flow of blood to the mucus membrane in the
nose. The mucus membrane then swells and prevents the passage of air. You will often suffer from a
runny nose at the same time. There are various causes for a blocked nose.
Cold catarrh
It is common to have to have runny nasal mucus and/or a blocked nose with a cold. This results from a
virus which causes inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nose.
Allergic catarrh
A blocked nose, a runny nose and itching in your nose appearing during the spring and/or summer are
common symptoms of a pollen allergy. If you have this problem throughout the year, it may be caused
by an allergy to dust or house mites.
Blocked nose during pregnancy
Hormonal changes can cause increased inflammation of the bodys mucus membranes. Consequently,
many women have a period with blocked noses during pregnancy.
Other causes
Some people have extra-sensitive mucus membranes and easily get runny and blocked noses from, for
example, dust, perfume or smoke. Other causes of blocked noses can be distorted nasal passages or
polyps, in conjunction with long-term infections. Decongestant nose drops/nasal spray, when used
long-term, result in a
Constant swelling of the nasal mucus membrane that is difficult to get rid of.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact the medical care services if you have:
• yellow-green nasal mucus and fever or problematical pain in your cheeks, forehead and/or
ears
• thick, yellow-green nasal mucus for more than a week
• a blocked nose and/or light catarrh for more than 2 to 3 weeks.
What can I do myself?
Sleep with your head and upper body raised, which reduces swelling in the mucus membranes and
thereby unblocks the nose. A small child could, for example, sleep in a bouncing cradle, an infants car
seat or against a firmly supported pram insert.
Use soft paper tissues to blow your nose, which avoids irritating the skin around your nose.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
Decongestant nose drops and nasal sprays are available in different strengths: for adults, children and
babies. Age groups and applicable recommended dosages are shown on the package instructions.
Decongestant nose drops and nasal sprays quickly reduce the swelling and are effective for 8 to 9
hours. They should not be used for more than 10 consecutive days. This also applies if you only use
them at night-time. If you use these medicines for a prolonged period, the mucus membranes get used
to the substance. You can then have a constantly blocked nose that is difficult to get rid of. Iliadin,
Nasin, Nasoferm, Nezeril and Otrivin are av-ailable as sprays. Nezeril is also av-ailable as a singledose
package. Single-dose pipettes and Nezeril and Otrivin Menthol spray do not contain
preservatives. Otrivin is available both with and without pre-servatives.
There are alternatives to decongestant nose drops and nasal spray
Renässans single-dose pipettes or nasal spray contains a saline solution. It can be used by adults or

children to dissolve thick secretions or to moisten dry nasal mem-branes. Single-dose pipettes are
recommended for infants whose blocked noses can sometimes be caused by the nostrils being blocked
by dried mucus. Adults and children over 12 years who wish to rinse their nose clean with a large
quantity of saline solution can use the nasal rinse Nasaline. You can buy this saline solution readymade
or can mix up a solution your-self by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in half a litre of lukewarm
water.
Sinova tablets are a herbal remedy, tradi-tionally used to relieve nasal and sinus symptoms when
suffering from colds. Thick mucus is dissolved and becomes flowing, making it easier to blow your
nose.
Olbas Inhaler and the herbal remedy Oleum Basileum contain essential oils, among them peppermint
oil. They are inhaled and are traditionally used to alleviate a blocked nose with a cold.
Test your blocked nose before you use decongestant nose drops and nasal spray!
• Is your nose blocked virtually throughout the year?
• Is your nose only blocked during the spring and/or summer months?
• Are you pregnant?
• Do you usually need nose drops for more than ten consecutive days?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, a cold is not the cause of your blocked nose, and
decongestant nose drops and nasal sprays are not the right remedy for you. You can read about the
various causes of blocked noses in this folder.

3. Constipation
Förstoppning
Helpful facts about constipation
Human bowel movement habits vary. Some people have bowel movements twice a week and others
every day; both are normal.
Anyone can suffer from temporary constipation, e.g. caused by environmental change, anxiety and
stress.
Lingering constipation is usually due to incorrect diet, too much sitting around and suppressed bowel
movement needs. Long-term use of bowel stimulating laxatives can result in constipation, e.g.
Dulcolax, Laxoberal, Pursennid and Toilax. Other medicines can also result in constipation, e.g. those
containing iron and codeine.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact the medical care services in case of:
· blood or mucus in the stool
· loss of weight for no apparent reason or severe abdominal pain
· constipation in children
· alteration to your usual bowel movement habits for no apparent reason
· lingering constipation.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
A micro-enema is best for temporary constipation. This works already after 5 to 15 minutes by, among
other things, the micro-enema softening up the hard faeces, which sometimes block the colon.
Examples of micro-enemas include Microlax and Resulax.
Bowel stimulating laxatives can also be used in exceptional cases for temporary constipation, e.g.
Cilaxoral and Laxoberal drops or Pursennid Ex-Lax tablets. These provide results after 6 to 12 hours.
They accelerate intestinal activity and empty the entire large intestine. This means that bowel
movements may fail to occur for several days after the initial treatment.
Bowel stimulating laxatives should not be used every day and for no more than one week. Excessive
use can cause a reduction in the bowels normal emptying reflex and lead to dependency on the
laxative.
Lingering constipation which remains unaffected by an altered diet can be cured by so-called bulkforming
products. These prevent constipation by increasing the intestinal content volume and ensuring
the normal consistency of faeces. Products containing vegetable fibre should be taken with plenty of
liquid and they only start to work after several days of use. They are consequently unsuitable for
remedying acute constipation. They are more or less free from side effects. Examples of bulk-forming
products are Fiberform, Inolaxol, Lunelax and Vi-Siblin.
Duphalac, Laktipex, Laktulos and Loraga are, like Importal Ex-Lax, other kinds of laxatives that
increase content volume. They work after a couple of days of use. The laxatives can, in some cases,
cause flatulence.
You cannot lose weight with laxatives
It is not possible to lose weight by using bowel stimulating laxatives. When you take laxatives, you
only eliminate the breakdown, not the calories. They have already been absorbed by the small
intestine. You also lose important salts and fluid.

How do I prevent constipation?
• Increase your fibre intake by eating fruit, green vegetables, root vegetables and fibre-rich
bread. Cereal fibre cures constipation effectively. Always eat varied meals.
• Fibre increases the quantity of faeces produced and retains water, which means that faeces exit
easily.
• Eat bran or linseeds for extra fibre.
• Drink a large glass of water with every meal.
• Go to the lavatory as soon as you feel the need. Try to make your visits to the lavatory at
regular times and take your time. Reduced bowel movement reflexes can be re-trained.
Exercise. The more

4. Coughing
Hosta
Helpful facts about coughing
Coughing is the bodys natural method of ridding the respiratory passages of phlegm, foreign matter or
irritants (for example tobacco smoke).
Coughing is a reflex that is triggered by irritation in the throat or the airway.
Coughing is a common cold symptom, but there are several other causes.
Coughing can be one of the side effects of heart medicines of the type ACE-inhibitors (for example
Capoten, Renitec and Zestril).
When should I seek assistance?
Contact the medical care services if:
• the cough is combined with difficulty in breathing
• the cough is combined with a costal stitch, i.e. piercing pain in the ribcage when breathing
deeply
• the coughed-up phlegm is bloody
• a child under the age of 1 year has a cough with whoops
• a child under the age of 2 years has an irritating cough
• you are taking medicine that can cause a cough
• the cough is combined with a fever exceeding 38º for more than 96 hours
• the cough has not cleared up after 3 weeks.
What can I do myself?
• Drinking a lot of liquids can provide relief to irritated throats and airways.
• Avoid smoking and smoky premises.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow, to reduce the risk of spreading an infection via saliva or
droplets of phlegm.
Think about the risk of contagion so that you do not unnecessarily infect others when you visit, for
example, older people, those who are sick or babies.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
Coughing and the coughing up of phlegm is our natural defence against foreign material and the
excess production of phlegm in our respiratory passages, and should not normally be suppressed by
medicines.
A. But if the cough is only dry (no phlegm is coughed up) and irritating or if it disturbs your sleep,
cough suppressants can be used.
This suppresses the cough reflex itself, resulting in less coughing.
Noskapin and Nipaxon are cough-suppressing medicines that are available both as tablets and in liquid
form. In exceptional cases, these medicines can cause intense abdominal/chest pains. The pain will
pass over by itself after 1 to 3 hours.
Do not give cough-suppressing medicine to children under the age of 2 years without consulting the
child health care centre.
B. If you are coughing with very thick phlegm, you can try an expectorant cough medicine, for
example, Bisolvon, Brom-hexin or Resyl. Timjan lozenges are a herbal remedy, traditionally used to
relieve a temporary cough.

5. Diarrhoea in adults
Diarré hos vuxna
Helpful facts about diarrhoea
Diarrhoea takes the form of unusually frequent and thin bowel movements. Intestinal content is
transported so quickly that the intestine fails to absorb a sufficient amount of water and salt. Most
cases are caused by an intestinal viral infection.
Food poisoning is caused by poisons formed by the bacteria in unfit food.
Diarrhoea is sometimes accompanied by fever and vomiting.
The most important dangers arising from diarrhoea are dehydration and saline deficiency. Adults can
withstand dehydration better than children, and unusually loose bowel movements for a few days do
not require treatment.
Persistent diarrhoea can depend on oversensitivity to certain substances in food. It can be caused by
milk sugar (lactose) or gluten, a substance that is found in our most common kinds of grain. In some
cases, diarrhoea can result from inflammatory intestinal disease.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact the medical care services if:
· the sick person is listless, urinates less than usual, or is generally unwell. This can mean serious
dehydration.
· you have acute gastric pain
· the stool contains blood or mucus
· you have diarrhoea on and off, in particular if you are also losing weight
· you also have a high fever
· the diarrhoea lasts for more than 6 days
· you get diarrhoea having recently been abroad. You may have contracted a serious intestinal
infection and it is important that you are examined so that further contagion can be prevented.
What can I do myself?
• With diarrhoea, it is important to replace fluid and salt loss
• Slight diarrhoea can often be cured by consuming more fluids.
With severe diarrhoea, only fluids should be consumed during the first 24 hours, for example in the
form of fluid replacement (see the recipe on the reverse page). Drink plenty. You can then eat as
normal. Let your appetite decide. Continue to drink plenty, even if your bowel movements are still
loose.
A healthy adult normally drinks 2 to 3.5 litres of liquid per 24 hours, with food and beverages. The
need for liquids increases with diarrhoea.
It is easier to absorb the volumes of liquid necessary if you take small portions at frequent intervals.
This applies particularly if you are nauseous and vomiting at the same time.
Avoid milk, ice cream and wholemeal gruel for the first 3 to 4 days.
Think about the risk of contagion so that you do not unnecessarily infect others when you visit, for
example, older people, those who are sick or babies.
Home-made fluid replacement:
Mix 1 litre of water or weak tea with 7 teaspoons of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt
(1 teaspoon = 5 ml). The sugar allows the body to absorb salt, in spite of the diarrhoea. Flavour, if
required, with 2 tea-spoons of concentrated orange juice or the juice of a squeezed lemon. Give at

oom temperature or cool. Store in refrigerator for at most 24 hours.
Fluid replacement, in the form of effervescent tablets (Resorb) or powder can be purchased at the
pharmacy.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
Dimor, Imodium, Loperamid and Travello are antidiarrhoeics that alleviate the symptoms of
temporary diarrhoea. These medicines reduce intestinal activity and give the intestine more time to
absorb water from the intestinal contents. The effects can often be seen within 4 hours.
These medicines do not kill the virus or bacteria, and consequently cannot be taken for preventative
purposes.
How can I prevent diarrhoea?
Always wash your hands before eating or preparing food and after visiting the lavatory. If you travel
south, do not drink tap water and do not take ice in drinks. Only eat well-cooked or fried food and
avoid unpeeled fruit, raw vegetables and ice cream.
In order to prevent travellers diarrhoea, you can start taking capsules containing lactic acid bacteria,
such as Bifolac, Docidus or Trevis, a few days before the journey. They help to retain the balance
between intestinal bacteria that are beneficial and those that cause illness.

6. Headaches
Huvudvärk
Useful facts about headaches.
Temporary headaches are often accompanied by fever, for example with influenza and colds. Fatigue,
smoking and alcohol can also cause headaches.
A migraine is a special kind of headache attack. Sometimes the attacks start with a flickering sensation
in the eyes. Usually the pain is felt in one side of the head and accompanied by nausea and possible
vomiting. Extra sensitivity to light and sound is often experienced. The attacks can be caused by
stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, glare, flickering light, hunger, alcohol, or some foods, for
example chocolate.
A tension headache is a form of headache that is more or less constant and feels like pressure on the
forehead, neck and shoulders. This pain is caused by tension in the heads muscles. There can be
several causes for this, for example, stressful work, incorrect working posture, poor lighting at work or
anxiety. Headaches can also be caused by an incorrect bite.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact a doctor in case of:
• headache and fever in conjunction with a stiff neck, listlessness or a dazed feeling
• the headache worsens when coughing
• recurring headaches at night or in the morning
• headaches accompanied by nausea or vomiting
• double vision or reduced sight
• increased headaches occurring after the age of 50
• headaches accompanied by thick, yellow-green nasal mucus
• headaches and fever without any symptoms of a cold
• sudden, severe headache
• persistent headache that does not clear up within a week or so
• headaches that often recur, particularly if you take painkillers more than three days a week
What can I do myself?
• Dont neglect your sleep, and preferably sleep in a cool room.
• Ensure that your reading distance is correct and that you have sufficient lighting when reading
• Get your eyesight checked
• Do not consume too much alcohol.
• Contact your dentist if you suspect that you have an incorrect bite.
• Tension headaches will sometimes clear up if you relax for a moment, go for a walk or a
bicycle ride.
• Try to find out which muscles are tense and then practise relaxing them. You can get CDs
with relaxation exercises from the Pharmacy.
• If you regularly take painkillers several times a week, you can try to reduce your tablet
consumption. It is a good idea to make a note of how often and how much medicine you take.
• Perhaps you can alleviate the headache in other ways, for example by relaxation exercises or a
cold pack on your forehead.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
Prescription-free pain relievers are available for ordinary, temporary headaches. They all have similar
effects.
If you have or have had an ulcer, has asthma or an increased propensity to bleed (for example, you
easily get nosebleeds), you should take paracetamol, such as Alvedon, Curadon, Panodil or Reliv.

If you dont have any of these problems, you can take a pain-relieving tablet containing ibuprofen, such
as Alindrin, Ibumetin or Ipren or a tablet containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), for example, Bamyl-
S brus or Magnecyl brus. Alternatively, you can take a pain-relieving tablet with paracetamol.
For migraines, it is suitable to take a tablet containing caffeine in addition to acetyl-salicylic acid, such
as Bamyl-S-koffein, Magnecyl koffein brus or Treo.
If you have a headache and at the same time feel nauseous, Alvedon, Curadon or Panodil suppositories
are worth considering.
Avoid taking pain-relieving medicine for tension headaches. Pain relievers will work but, because the
tension remains, the headache will return as soon as the effect of the pain reliever has worn off. It is
consequently easy to take too many pain-relieving tablets and there is then a risk that the body will
become accustomed to the medicine. When the tablet stops having an effect, there will then be a new
headache, which is actually a symptom of abstinence.
If you regularly take pain-relieving tablets more than three days a week, you are at risk of becoming
dependent. If you wake up in the morning with a pulsing headache that is cleared up by taking a tablet,
this may be a rebound headache.

7. Heartburn and indigestion
Halsbränna och sura uppstötningar
Helpful facts about heartburn and indigestion
When the valve between the stomach and throat (upper stomach orifice) fails to close tightly, acidic
and irritating stomach con-tent can rise into the throat and cause heartburn, indigestion and pain
behind the breastbone. Fatty food, coffee, smoking and alcohol all contribute to the valve not closing
tightly. This may also be caused by pressure in the stomach increasing due to pregnancy, being
overweight, or heavy lifting. Anouther cause may be that the muscles in the upper stomach orifice
have slackened over the years.
Prescription medicines for joint and muscle problems, and painkillers cotaining acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin), for exemple Magnecyl and Treo, cause heartburn.
Heartburn is often combined with diffuse pains in the upper part of the stomach, nauseous, burps, and
sucking sensations in the stomach. These problems may be the bodys reaction to stress and
psychological strain.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact the medical care services in the case of:
• severe chest and stomach pains
• black or bloody vomit
• black stools
• chest pains that increase in conjunction with physical exertion
• nightly coughing with breathing difficulties, resembling astma
• losing weight and being tired for no apparent reason
• frequent vomiting
• difficulty in swallowing
• problems of which you were not previously aware, particularly if you areolder than the age of
45
• daily recurrent problems for more than 3 weeks
•
What can I do my self?
• Dont eat large portions
• Avoid large meals late in the evening. Indigestion during your sleep can damgeyour throat.
• When sleeping, raise the head-end of the bed by to 15 cm to reduce leakage from your
stomach into your throat.
• Try to lose weight, if you are overweight.
• Avoid tight clothing, bending and lifting heavy objects.
• Stop smoking and be moderate with alcohol.
• Avoid things that aggravate the problem, for example coffee, fatty foods and strongly spiced
food.
• Avoid painkillers containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and ibuprofen, which can irritate the
stomach lining.
• Ask your doctor about alternatives if you use prescription medicine against inflammation and
pain.
• Eat your main meals at regular times, preferably with snacks in between.
• Try, if possible, to influence life habits so that you can live a less stressful life.
Are there prescription- free medicines?
Prescription-free medicines are available for the temporary reduction of stomach acid.

Link, Novalucol, Novaluzid and Rennie are medicines that neutralise and thereby bind stomach acid.
It is possible to prevent stomach acid from passing up into thr throut by using Gaviscon, which acts as
a lid over the stomach content.
These medicines have an effect that can be felt within a quarter of an hour and last for 1 to 2 hours.
Anouther alternative is medicine that inhibits the forming of stomach acid.
Artonil, Inside, Pepcid, Rantidin, Rani-Q and Zantac take effect within half an hour and reduce the
production of stomach acid for 9 to 12 hours. Pepcid Duo is a combination preparation that partly
neutralises stomach acid and partly inhibits the production of stomach acid for 12 hours.
On repeated treatment, Losec, Losec Mups, Omeprazol and Pantoloc impede the production of
stomach acid effectively for up to 24 hours. Symptoms are relieved during the first few days.
Do you have occasional problems?
If you have heartburn when you have eaten or have drunk something that does not agree with you, you
should take medicine that has a rapid effect. Your choice of alterative depends upon whthwer you wish
to have an effect for a few hours or for 9 to 12 hours and the form in which you prefer to take the
medicine.
Do you have problems several days a week?
If you have heartburn for several days in a row, you should take medicine that reduces the production
of stomach acid for many hours. You should take the medicine for as long as complaint continues, but
never more tablets each day than stated on the package. If you still have heartburn after using the
preparation for more than 14 days in a stretch, you should contact a doctor.
Are you pregnant?
If you are pregnant, you can take medicine that neutralises stomach acid, for example Novalucol,
Rennie or Gaviscon, your self. If these do not givesufficent effect and you have heartburn for several
days in a row, try e.g. Losec or Losec Mups.

8. Travel-sickness
Åksjuk
Helpful facts about travel-sickness
Another name for travel-sickness is motion sickness. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, cold sweat
and increased salivation.
Travel-sickness is caused when our brain is sent mixed messages. It is difficult for the brain to
interpret the signals concerning the rocking, swaying or violent movements which pass via the balance
organs in the inner ear when these conflict with the information coming from the eyes. The con-fused
brain then sends signals to various nerve centres in the brain stem; the areas primarily affected are
those that control vomiting and the part that controls gastro-intestinal functions. The latter has the
effect that the stomach does not empty itself normally and it is then difficult to absorb fluids.
But the brain is only confused by unusual movement patterns that it has not previously registered.
Consequently, the majority of people can adapt to new movement situations in 2 to 3 days. Certain
people are particularly sensitive to changes in movement, and consequently easily become sea-sick or
carsick.
When should I seek assistance?
Contact a doctor if:
• children younger than 5 years require travel-sickness medicine
• you are aware that you become travel-sick easily, and have followed the advice below and
tested prescription-free travel-sickness medicines without success.
What can I do myself?
• Try to be thoroughly rested and have slept well before the journey.
• . Do not start the journey on an empty stomach but have a meal rich in carbohydrates, e.g.
potatoes, pasta or rice, the evening before or a few hours before departure.
• During the journey, it is good to eat and drink something every hour to maintain the stomachs
emptying function.
• Sit facing the direction of travel and look forwards instead of towards the sides or backwards
• When travelling by boat, look at the horizon. If possible, sit in the centre of the boat, both
length- and beam-wise, where the boat rocks the least.
• Do not read during the journey.
If you still begin to feel sick, ensure that you have a good supply of fresh air. This usually
reduces the problem. Try to rest in a place that rocks as little as possible, and try to lie down
and close your eyes.
Are there prescription-free medicines?
Travel-sickness medicines primarily work by blocking signals to the nerve centres of the brain
stem. In this way, they neutralise nausea and vomiting.
The only prescription-free medicine available is Postafen. It works for approximately 12
hours.
This medicine should be taken one hour before departure in order to give it time to begin to
work.
Postafen can cause dizziness and reduced reflexes.