WHILE most Brits are enjoying the festive season, thousands are seeking help for a nasty condition.
Every 13 seconds, someone is checking out the heartburn and acid reflux page on the NHS website, data has revealed.
GettyHaving frequent bouts of heartburn can increase your risk of cancer[/caption]
An estimated 13,200 visits to the website page during Christmas Day and Boxing Day – equivalent to one view every 13 seconds.
Heartburn happens when the muscle that allows food to flow from the oesophagus to the stomach doesn’t work properly.
Stomach acid seeps into the oesophagus, where it irritates the throat.
Thankfully, it is usually harmless and will disappear within a few hours – causing nothing more than a painful sensation.
According to the NHS, it is normally caused by certain foods which we tend to eat more of over the festive period.
These treats include alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods.
The painful condition can also be caused by stress, being overweight, smoking, pregnancy or a stomach ulcer.
The symptoms of heartburn you need to know:
burning sensation in the middle of your chest
sour taste in your mouth
a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
a hoarse voice
bad breath
bloating and feeling sick
Speak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn.
They may recommend antacids or alginates to help ease your symptoms.
Although these medicines may help symptoms in the short term, they will not cure the problem.
Lifestyle changes like cutting back on certain foods and reducing stress can be more effective in the long term.
However, in some cases, heartburn can indicate something more serious which requires medical attention.
Heath conditions associated with heartburn
When stomach acid flows back to the oesophagus, it can cause tissue damage that can increase the risk of cancer of the larynx and oesophagus.
Stomach acid flows back to the oesophagus, which can cause tissue damage that can lead to the development of cancer.
Also known as cancer of the food pipe, oesophageal cancer is diagnosed around 9,200 times and is the cause of 7,900 deaths every year in the UK.
Stomach acid can get into your lungs, causing various potential respiratory issues, according to medical centre Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio.
The buildup of acid can cause irritation or inflammation of the vocal cords or a sore throat, which could trigger harmless things like coughing, congestion and hoarseness, it says on their website.
But if the acid is inhaled into the lungs, it can lead to more serious conditions like asthma, laryngitis, pneumonia or wheezing.
Heartburn can also be a side effect of a stomach ulcer.
This happens when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine.
The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed.
Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, burning pain and discoloured stool due to bleeding.
While it won’t be too serious in most cases, with a doctor prescribing medications to relieve the symptoms and help the ulcer heal, in rare cases, they can prove an emergency.
Being overweight can also increase your risk of heartburn.
The exact mechanism is not understood, but researchers think the extra fat around the belly increases the pressure on the stomach, forcing fluid into the oesophagus.
When to see a doctor…
NHS have warned of these eight signs that mean you should contact your doctor:
Your heartburn won’t go away.
Your heartburn symptoms become more severe or frequent.
It’s hard or hurts to swallow.
Your heartburn causes you to vomit.
You have had unexpected weight loss.
You take over-the-counter antacids for more than two weeks and still have heartburn symptoms.
You have heartburn symptoms even after taking prescription medicines.
You have serious hoarseness or wheezing