Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on heartburn and preventing sunburn

Q. My husband is in his 50s and over the last couple of months he has had heartburn and acid reflux on a number of occasions after eating. He is reluctant to visit his GP, but as he is a little overweight I think he should have this checked out.

A. This must be very uncomfortable for your husband and I would certainly advise him to visit his GP.

The cells in the lining of the stomach produce acid and other chemicals which help us to digest our food. There is a band of muscle between the stomach and oesophagus which relaxes to allow food down and tightens up to prevent food or acid leaking back up (reflux) into the oesophagus.