Heartburn can be triggered by eating too much food, or as a result of GORD – gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
It is also common among pregnant women.
Acid reflux is caused by stomach fluid, which contains strong digestive acids to break down food, ‘leaking out’ of the stomach and travelling up toward the oesophagus.
Everyone has acid in their stomach however acid reflux only happens to certain people.
The condition could indicate a person is suffering from a stomach ulcer – an ailment which can lead to serious complications such as internal bleeding, perforation and gastric outlet obstruction.
The bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori – also known as H.pylori can affect the lining of the stomach.
It is the main cause of ulcers occurring in the lining of the upper part of the small intestine and in the lining of the stomach, which are called gastric ulcers.
However, not all people infected with the condition will develop an ulcer.
Signs of stomach ulcers include heartburn and indigestion, bloating, a gnawing or burning pain which can be felt in the stomach area when hungry and at night time, and in severe cases- nausea and vomiting.
A woman recently contacted This Morning to ask the doctors for a second opinion.
The woman said she is having to take medication every day to stop symptoms of acid reflux.
Dr Zoe Williams said: “The reasons we get it is the stomach produces acid when we eat and sometimes it can come up the gullet.
“If it’s been going on for a year, there is a simple test for bacteria.
“A lot of us have this bacteria but it can increase the acid production.
“First of all get that checked. Think about lifestyle things we can all do for heartburn acid redux or indigestion.”
She said smoking, eating spicy food, drinking alcohol and stress can increase the risk of said reflux.
Dr Zoe told the woman to ask doctors to look at the stomach with an endoscopy if symptoms still don’t clear up.
“You are only in your 20s so I’m not concerned there is a sinister cause,” she added.
Tests for H.pylori include blood antibody tests which can see if your body has made antibodies to H. pylori bacteria.
A stool test can check for infection or bleeding from the stomach.
NHS Choices said a breath test for a Helicobacter pylori infection – involves drinking a glass of clear, tasteless liquid that contains radioactive carbon and blowing into a bag.
Daily Express :: Life and Style Feed
