A new survey has revealed the overwhelming lack of knowledge about the causes and symptoms of hiatus hernia and chronic acid reflux in the UK. These results come despite the fact that 1 in 3 people aged over 50 have hiatus hernia and 13 million people suffer from chronic acid reflux.
Hiatus hernia means that the top part of the stomach slides up into the chest cavity. Common symptoms include heartburn, chest pain and the feeling a lump in the throat. The symptoms that can increase the risk of a number of serious conditions, including swallowing problems that can cause food to get stuck in the throat, increases the risk of cell change and cancer, poorer dental and oral health. The mis-swallowing can also increase the risk of pneumonia.
When asked about the complications of leaving hiatus hernia untreated, over half (56%) of respondents could not identify a single complication from untreated hiatus hernia. Only 12% of respondents were aware that oesophagus cancer was one of the risks associated, despite it being the 7th most deadly cancer in the UK, leading to the death of 22 people in the UK every single day. Despite the serious health consequences of leaving it untreated, only 16.6% of men know what hiatus hernia was.
While more people were aware of chronic acid reflux, very few people who were polled knew how to manage the condition despite it having a huge negative impact on their physical and mental health. 1 in 4 said it had forced them to change their daily routine, 1 in 5 people said that they had experienced depression or anxiety due to the condition. Only 11% of people know that acid reflux could be treated through muscular training.
Commenting on the findings, Ylvali Gerling, CEO of IQoro, said: “This survey shows there is a long way to go in boosting public awareness about what hiatus hernia and chronic reflux is, and how it can be treated. I want people to know that these conditions aren’t embarrassing and can be managed without surgery or pharmacological treatments. Traditionally, reflux has been treated by a form of costly surgery called a ‘Nissen fundoplication’ or medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which reduces how much acid your stomach makes.
"But IQoro works by training the muscles between the mouth and stomach that are used every time you swallow. Every time you swallow food or gulp water, 148 muscles transport the food or liquid down to the stomach safely. These muscles need training just like any other in our body. IQoro trains and strengthens the whole muscle chain to help them get stronger. Completely naturally and without medication.” For further information, visit: MYoroface
