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Heartburn Awareness Week returns to Kerry for second year
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WITH one in three Irish people suffering from heartburn once a week or more, Dr Ciara Kelly is once again encouraging people to consult their local pharmacist on how best to manage symptoms, reminding the nation that heartburn is something that can be effectively treated.
The pharmacist should be the first choice for advice, as many heartburn cases can be solved without a visit to the GP. We are in the middle of National Heartburn Awareness Week which highlights a condition that affects over half of the population.
After a successful inaugural Heartburn Awareness Week in 2015, this October the nation is being advised to be mindful of the condition and its lifestyle effects, and to seek more information from their pharmacist if suffering regularly from heartburn symptoms.
New research conducted in 2016 as part of Heartburn Awareness Week has shown that a significant 78% of heartburn sufferers find it has a negative impact on their lifestyle. When looking at the impact it can have on daily life, 49% find it disturbs sleep, 39% admit it limits their food choices while a quarter admit that heartburn disrupts their day, highlighting how much it affects sufferers’ daily lives. Almost one third (29%) feel physical pain as a result of the condition, with one in 10 stating it negatively impacts their social lives or relationships, yet many are still unaware of the variety of treatments available in pharmacies.
Heartburn occurs when gastric acid flows back from the stomach into the oesophagus when the lower oesophageal sphincter does not close tightly. Unlike the stomach, the oesophagus does not have a protective lining and is sensitive to the acid which burns its walls, causing that painful burning feeling.
Dr Ciara Kelly, MD, explains, “Heartburn is a relatively common condition that is not always a cause for concern. However, frequent heartburn is something that can have a serious impact on day-to-day life and should be dealt with in an effective manner. If you are suffering from heartburn more than once a week, my recommendation is to discuss your symptoms with your local pharmacist to ensure you are benefitting from the appropriate treatment.”
Research has shown that a quarter of sufferers feel they have to remember to bring antacids with them at all times. Antacids are still the most popular OTC medicine for heartburn, however for frequent heartburn proton pumps inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole (only available in pharmacy) or H2 blockers may be more suitable. H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors reduce the production of acid in the stomach rather than simply neutralising existing acid.
Dr Kelly continues, “Heartburn can be quite a debilitating ailment and can worsen if not treated properly. While there are a number of ‘trigger foods’ that can make it worse, it is not something always caused by dietary choices, however they can help alleviate it. It is however something that can affect our lifestyles, cause embarrassment, limit the foods we can enjoy and even affect our relationships or social life. In addition, over time, the backflow of acid can cause damage to the lining of the oesophagus and can cause serious medical conditions. For this reason, during Heartburn Awareness Week we are encouraging people to consider their symptoms and to seek more information from their pharmacist.”
In addition to speaking with pharmacists, Dr Kelly advises those suffering with heartburn symptoms to:
· Keep a food diary and listen to your body. Pay heed to what causes your heartburn to flare up, monitor and avoid these foods
· Don't eat late at night before you're about to go to bed, having a full stomach before you lie down will increase acid backflow and put pressure on digestion
· Avoid spicy foods that affect your stomach balance, especially anything with lots of chilli
· Consciously add acid-neutralising foods to the diet, such as almond milk, bananas, ginger, porridge
· Keep your alcohol intake within recommended limits (17 units for a man, 11 units for a woman per week, or less!)
· Reduce your tea and coffee intake, again especially before you go to bed
Above: Dr Ciara Kelly.
Women’s Aid highlights rising femicide figures following Killarney death
Following the violent death of Jamey Carney in Killarney on Tuesday, national charity Women’s Aid has released a stark update regarding violence against women in Ireland.
According to the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch for the Republic of Ireland, eight women have died in violent circumstances so far this year.
This figure already exceeds the total of seven women recorded during the entirety of 2025.
Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, said:
“Violence, abuse, and even at its extremes, death, are still a reality for many women living in Ireland. After the devastating murder of Ashling Murphy in 2022, Ireland said never again. But Ireland has not lived up to that promise.
“Since then, 40 women have died violently in Ireland. That is 40 women with lives, dreams, family, friends and communities.
“Since we started the Women’s Aid Femicide Watch in 1996, 286 women have died violently in Ireland. Every death is an outrage. An absolute tragic loss of life resulting in utter heartache and trauma for those left behind.
“We are thinking today of those who will be deeply impacted by the loss of life in Killarney. Prevention of all domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is crucial and urgent.”
“The Women’s Aid Femicide Watch shows that 87% of women (where the case has been resolved) were killed by a man known to them. We also know that in Ireland, one in three women has been subjected to domestic abuse of some kind.
“Every woman has the right to be safe in her home and in her community, and this is just not the case. We must do the work required to achieve equality and safety for all, to make Ireland a country that truly has zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”
Support is available on the Women’s Aid 24-Hour National Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900, or go to womensaid.ie to use the Instant Message Service or for more information on domestic violence and abuse.”
Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off
Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.
It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.
The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.
The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.
An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.
Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.
“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”
Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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