 Heartburn is extremely common, affecting up to one in four UK adults. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of acid reflux. Foods notorious for increasing acid reflux and heartburn include fried and fast food, pizza, chips, fatty meats and cheese. Occasional heartburn is not serious, but experiencing the accompanying symptoms over a long period of time could lead to serious health outcomes, including cancer. 'For the last 10 years, I have had acid reflux,' Kevin explained. 'My symptoms would include a sore throat, heartburn, constantly feeling congested, lethargic, burping and excessive wind. 'Sometimes, I'd sweat excessively at night and occasionally woke up choking due to reflux. 'It got to the point where I'd been given many conceivable proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medication that the GP could prescribe.' He added that despite being apprehensive about the PPIs and){kind=link}
People with GERD may have heartburn, a burning sensation in the back of the throat, chronic cough, laryngitis and nausea. Those who constantly suffer with acid reflux could be at risk of more serious conditions, such as Barrett’s oesophagus or even cancer
Most people will suffer with acid reflux at some point in their lives, whether by eating certain foods that trigger the condition or having a sensitivity to it.
What many are unaware of though, is that suffering with acid reflux for a number of years increases a person’s risk of Barrett’s oesophagus, which could eventually develop into oesophageal cancer.
Oesophageal cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the UK with around 9,300 new cases each year.
For Kevin Fowlie, 42, acid reflux was a part of his life and he suffered from it for 10 painful years.