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.

Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux particularly in those aged 35-64, characterised by burning sensation over the centre of the chest and rising towards the neck and usually is worse 15- 60 minutes after a meal. It may be accompanied by reflux of acid in the mouth and precipitated by bending or lying flat. Heartburn is common in those who are overweight.

Most people will have heartburn at some point in their lives. In many cases it is mild and very soon passes. Here are some suggestions to ease reflux symptoms before your husband sees his GP:

* If he is a smoker, stop smoking.

* Reduce alcohol intake.

* It is important to maintain an ideal weight.

* Some food and drink may trigger the pain so cut down on spicy foods, hot drinks, alcohol and any other trigger foods that you can identify.

* Try to avoid bending forward as this might encourage the reflux

* Eat small regular meals, avoiding big meals and long periods of fasting.

* If he notices it happening when he is in bed, try to avoid eating or drinking for 2-3 hours before going to bed.

* Take regular exercise.

It is important to have the cause of these symptoms investigated. Once a diagnosis has been made I am sure that his GP will be able to advise as to how best to manage this and whether any further treatment or investigations are necessary. He / she can also discuss with your husband if he should lose weight.

Q. I’m going on a sun holiday with my two young daughters (aged six and eight). We are all fair but my youngest daughter has pale skin and freckles. I want to make sure we all enjoy the holiday without getting sunburnt, have you any suggestions?

A. As children’s skin is more sensitive to sun damage than adults it is very important to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun. Research shows that getting sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Some children are more at risk, if for example they have pale or freckled skin or red or fair hair. They could also be at risk if they have a large number of moles.

* Both children should wear a hat with a wide brim that covers their face, neck and ears.

* Try to get them children to wear wraparound sun glasses with UV protection.

* T-shirts with a collar are ideal and a pair of long shorts.

* Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and UVA protection – see what is the easiest way to apply for you and for them — cream, lotion or spray. Simple lotions are best for normal skin, water-resistant emulsion is advisable for swimming and water sports.

*Buy before you travel and do a patch test on each child. Apply the cream on the back of their hand, if their skin reacts, try a different brand.

* Apply the sunscreen to the areas that are not covered by their clothes and hat.

* Apply the sunscreen to dry skin 20-30 minutes before they go outside and reapply every two hours. Remember to dry skin after they come out of the pool or the sea and reapply.

* Plan any day trips and visits to pool or beach either early in the morning or late afternoon and try to plan activities so that they are in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a subsitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.