Most people experience some form of acid reflux at one point in their lives. It is often caused by food and drink – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods, according to the NHS.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease - also known as GERD - is a serious form of acid reflux. It is a common condition, where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus.
As reported by the Mirror, long-term acid reflux could lead to Barrett's oesophagus - in which a person's oesophagus becomes damaged. This could continue to develop into oesophageal cancer over time, putting those with GERD at an increased risk.
In some cases the condition is called Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and symptoms, according to Scotland's NHS Inform, can include:
- heartburn (an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest that often occurs after eating)
- acid reflux (where stomach acid comes back up into your mouth and causes an unpleasant, sour taste)
- oesophagitis (a sore, inflamed oesophagus)
- bad breath
- bloating and belching
- feeling or being sick
- pain when swallowing and/or difficulty swallowing
Foods notorious for increasing acid reflux and heartburn include fried and fast food, pizza, chips, fatty meats and cheese. Kevin Fowlie, 42, suffered from acid reflux for 10 painful years. He spoke with the Mirror to discuss his symptoms as well as the treatment that Kevin says has helped him recover.
“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 their possible side effects, he was on the medication for the whole 10 years.
“I approached my doctor and asked to be referred to a good gastroenterologist privately. I was diagnosed with GERD and hiatus hernia. What was worrying to hear was that long-term acid reflux can become a serious issue, and after 10 years with GERD it could lead to a condition known as Barrett's oesophagus, which is a precursor to oesophageal cancer.”
Finally, being diagnosed with the condition, Kevin was able to try an alternative medication to help with painful symptoms. He said: “I was offered a new procedure called transoral incisionless fundoplication - ‘TIF’. I thought it sounded good as it was done by endoscopy and no incisions involved, so recovery was a lot quicker and less painful. I managed to get an appointment with Dr Rehan Haidry, whom I found due to his experience with this procedure. I couldn’t wait to get it sorted.”
Since his TIF procedure back in February, Kevin has seen a noticeable improvement. According to one survey of 472 adults with GERD, only 13 percent had ever been advised by their doctor to undergo screening endoscopy and even fewer actually had the imaging test.
“I’ve come off the omeprazole (PPI) and I feel a lot more energetic than I have done in years and much more motivated to do things I haven’t done for a while," Kevin added. “I do occasionally get a flare-up but that’s usually because I have pushed it in terms of what I’ve eaten and drunk.
“As you feel better, you start trying foods and drinks which may have been problematic previously but you need to ease your way back in.”
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