AS most people are enjoying the Christmas festivities, thousands are seeking help for a nasty condition.
Every 13 seconds someone is visiting the heartburn and acid reflux page on the NHS website, data has revealed.
GettyBrits feeling unwell on Christmas and Boxing Day are flocking to the NHS website for answers[/caption]
There are an estimated 13,200 visits to the website page during Christmas Day and Boxing Day – equivalent to one view every 13 seconds.
Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux), guidance states.
Many people suffer with the ailment from time to time and sometimes there can be no obvious reason why.
However, the NHS says that is can often be caused, or even be made worse by certain food and drinks such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods.
It can also be caused by being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, stress and anxiety, an increase in medicine, hormones, and hernias.
The symptoms of heartburn you need to know:
burning sensation in the middle of your chestsour taste in your moutha cough or hiccups that keep coming backa hoarse voicebad breathbloating and feeling sick.
While heartburn is uncomfortable, the NHS said that this isn’t the only issue Brits are struggling with over the festive period.
Brits were also found to be searching for advice on diarrhoea and vomiting which receives an average of 11,600 visits.
This is common in adults, children and babies and the NHS says it’s often caused by a stomach bug.
In adults diarrhoea usually stops within five to seven days and for children it’s one to two days.
Alongside this, there were also an estimated 11,000 visits to the stomach ache page, with 9,300 visits to the page on food poisoning across the 48 hours between Christmas and Boxing Day.
The NHS website gets around 27 million visits each week.
Robert Cleary, NHS Digital’s content director for the NHS website, said: “The NHS website is available every day of the year for anyone who needs it, including during the festive season.
“The site provides information and advice on a wide range of conditions, from heartburn to mental health, in easy-to-understand language.
“Our section on staying well in winter also includes useful tips on how to keep healthy during the colder months.”
If you’re worried about any of your symptoms, you should book in with your GP or visit NHS 111.
In the event of an emergency, always call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.