The ‘Pink Tax’ is a way of describing ‘when products and services marketed towards women cost more than men’s comparable products

It’s no shock to hear that over the years women have traditionally spent more money on health and beauty. This could be costly hair appointments, sanitary products or additional beauty treatments that men wouldn’t normally take part in. However, in recent years it has become more apparent that women pay a secret “Pink Tax” on everyday products which costs them hundreds of pounds annually.

Social media creator Chelsea, who goes by @Yourwealthwithchels on Instagram and TikTok, creates videos highlighting money tips and financial advice. In a video posted on Thursday, September 10, Chelsea spoke about the ‘Pink Tax’ and the increased prices that women pay in comparison to men.

So, what is the Pink Tax?

The social media creator says that the “Pink Tax” is a way of describing “when products and services marketed towards women cost more than men’s comparable products, despite being basically the same/ serving the same purpose.”

For example shower gels with different scents catered towards women and men, or perhaps razors that are different colours but do the exact same thing.

In 2024, the Co-Operative Bank shared an article which said: “There are just two apparent differences between a pink and a blue razor: the first is of course the colour, and the second? The price.

“The reason for this cost difference is simply because pink razors are marketed towards women — a phenomenon more formally known as the ‘pink tax’.”

At the time they revealed that their research across seven commonly purchased toiletry products, showed that women paid nearly 40% extra for their lower-cost essentials on average. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Chelsea decided to find out for herself just how much more women pay for everyday products as a result of the “Pink Tax”.

The content creator headed to her local supermarket and compared the prices of women’s and men’s toiletries including shampoo, shower gel and razors.

She discovered

The following price comparisons (at the time of posting):

• Women’s Sanex 450ml shower gel cost £3.73 (83p per 100ml) and the men’s Sanex 400ml shower gel cost £2.25 (56p per 100ml).
• Women’s Gillette Venus razors were over £10, but the men’s Gillette Match 3 razor retailed for £8.
• Women’s L’Oreal Elvive 400ml shampoo/conditioner cost between £4- £5 ( £1+ per 100ml) and then L’Oreal Men Expert 400ml cost £2.74 (68p per 100ml).
• Women’s Radox 450ml shower gel cost £2 (44p per 100ml) and men’s Radox 450ml cost £1.64 (36p per 100ml).
• Gillette Women’s 200ml shaving gel cost £2.97 (£1.48 per 100ml) and Gillette Men’s 200ml shaving gel cost £2.54 (£1.27 per 100ml).

Chelsea said: “Well, the results speak for themselves. And this is just a VERY small example of products where women can end up paying more.

“But pink tax isn’t just about shampoo and razors. Women can also pay more for things like hairdressing services, skincare & personal care products, beauty treatments, clothing and underwear And there’s also a wider cost that’s harder to put a price on.

“There’s often an expectation that women should look more ‘put together’: hair done, makeup on, nails done, skin looking good, the list goes on.“According to Monster’s 2026 Beauty Bias at Work Report, 70% of workers said women face significantly more appearance related pressure at work than men.

“So when women are expected to meet higher standards around appearance, that can translate into a very real financial cost over time = PINK TAX.”

A mysterious kidney disease known as a ‘silent killer’ is striking young and otherwise healthy men in Texas.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a condition diagnosed when a patient suffers from kidney failure and the kidneys stop filtering the blood correctly – which can be fatal – despite having no other risk factors for kidney disease, such as obesity, high blood pressure or diabetes.

It was first recognized in the 1990s, after it was recorded in Central and South America, where it is called Mesoamerican Nephropathy, and has also been detected in India and South Asia.

It has historically been rarely detected in the US.

But now, doctors at multiple Texas hospitals are reporting cases of the disease.

Physicians in Houston say they have recorded a number of cases, almost all in otherwise healthy men in their 20s and 30s.

The patients were often laborers and had collapsed while at work, they said, whether that was painting a wall or paving a road. 

Dr Jason Glaser, a general surgeon in Texas, warned: ‘I’m really worried these people are going to fall through the cracks and die.’

CKDu is considered to be a mystery because doctors are not sure what’s causing it, although they know it cannot be spread from person to person. 

The leading hypothesis among researchers is that it is caused by exposure to extreme heat for long periods, such as when working outdoors.

Dr Marvin Gonzalez Quiroz, an occupational health expert at the University of Texas, San Antonio, previously told Texas Public Radio: ‘The most likely hypothesis is that repeated episodes of heat stress combined with dehydration in workers doing intense physical labor in a hot environment may lead to a recurrent acute kidney injury.

‘This gradually accumulates and results in chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology.’  

Doctors in Houston revealed they were recording cases of the disease to Texas Monthly, saying they had been detecting them for about a decade.

The physicians, who worked at safety-net hospitals, or hospitals that treat people regardless of their health insurance status, said many of the patients were undocumented migrants. 

All had come to the US from Central or South America and were working in the US when they sought treatment.

The patients were at Ben Taub hospital and other safety-net hospitals in Harris county, which covers Houston.

It was not clear how many cases, hospitalizations or deaths due to the disease have been recorded to date or how many resulted in kidney transplants. 

Among the first CKDu cases recorded in the US was one from 2018, when a 41-year-old truck driver who had immigrated from El Salvador was diagnosed with the condition. Doctors in Washington DC who reported the case said he was an agricultural field laborer.

Since then, isolated cases have been reported in California, Texas and Florida. 

CKDu is most commonly recorded in young or middle-aged adults, typically men, who live in rural areas and work in extreme conditions. Patients diagnosed with the disease are often laborers or agricultural workers.

It is called a ‘silent killer’ because it triggers no warning signs until the later stages, by which time the kidneys, which are essential organs, may be too damaged to save, putting someone’s life at risk.

The organs are vital for the body and function by filtering waste and potentially toxic substances out of the blood. If they stop working properly, these substances accumulate in the blood, eventually leading to death.

Warning signs of kidney damage include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness and sleep problems. Many CKDu patients report suffering from extreme fatigue.

It is not clear how many people may have the condition globally, as it is mostly reported in less developed countries that do not record these figures.

But chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys have been damaged over time and do not filter the blood as well as they should, is a growing health problem globally. 

In 2016, 275.9 million people globally were estimated to be suffering from the condition, compared to 147.6 million in 1990.

In India, CKDu is the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease, behind an estimated 16 percent of cases. Diabetes was the main cause, behind nearly a third of cases. 

Doctors can treat the condition using blood pressure medications and can ease symptoms using dialysis, which clears waste products from the blood. 

In serious cases, doctors may also carry out a kidney transplant to save a patient.

To prevent the disease, doctors advise people to drink plenty of water while working outdoors.

Dietitians recommend consuming plenty of fluids on a hot day. The National Academy of Medicine says men should drink 3.7 liters of water per day, equivalent to 15 glasses, while women should consume 2.7 liters, or 12 cups.   

If urine is a dark yellow color or smells, dietitians say that is an indication that someone needs to drink more water.

By EMILY JOSHU STERNE, US ASSISTANT HEALTH EDITOR

Published: 21:05, 15 September 2026 | Updated: 21:13, 15 September 2026

Lisa Wallace first took to Tik Tok in November 2024 after months of scrolling on the app herself.

Her first few posts on the app displayed her Christmas lights, candles and anything else that she found interesting – until she realised that people wanted to watch “ordinary people” on their own social media feed.

Since then, she has posted hundreds of videos as Lisa Doing Stuff, showcasing life in Barry and what she gets up to in neighbouring towns.

There is not a lot that is off limits — “much to the embarrassment of [her] family.”

Her page caught the attention of the masses over the May bank holiday when she took to Whitmore Bay to show the litter that was left over by visitors to Barry Island — not to be negative, but simply to display it.

This post is what started her Facebook fame.

Lisa Wallace first took to Tik Tok in November 2024 (Image: Supplied)

Since then, she has taken to park runs, countless special events, and too many car boots to count.

She told the Barry and District News: “I have such a laugh doing it!

“People say I’m so positive and I’m just like, ‘what are you on about? Isn’t everyone like that?’”

Her videos have shown the people of Barry just how much is on offer each week, bringing a bit of positivity to the lives of those who watch her videos.

She showcases a range of organisations and businesses in her posts, shining a light on some of the individuals across the town whose work is often taken for granted.

Using her weekends alongside her full-time job, she has managed to build a dedicated following that is only ever growing and has put a smile on the faces of countless residents.

Lisa showcases a range of organisations and businesses in her posts (Image: Supplied)

“It’s about more than followers,” she said.

“I’ve met people that I’d never have met. I’ve been invited to things I’d never have gone to.

“People in Barry are so lush – before I was sat in the house with the dog and now, I’m out and about with people.

“It’s a hobby and I’m delighted that it’s doing more than I intended.”

Though she doesn’t know where this social media presence will end up, one thing that many residents can be agreed upon is that Lisa Doing Stuff is helping to bring a sprinkle of positivity to the Facebook feeds of many.

UK Government’s new passkey rollout will now let users sign in to their GOV.UK One Login using just their fingerprint, Face ID or PIN.

The Government has introduced a new login feature for Brits’ online services in a bid to protect more than 23 million against ‘scammers’. The new passkey rollout will now let users sign in to their GOV.UK One Login using just their fingerprint, Face ID or PIN.

This means people will now have access to these government services in a faster and more secure way as they will no longer have to remember a password. The introduction of passkeys will also help protect users from phishing and other cyber threats as there will be ‘no password for scammers to steal through a phishing email or fake website’.

This is because passkeys are tied to the specific device or websites and cannot be guessed or reused. At present more than 300,000 users have already switched to using passkeys as part of the government’s initial trial of the safer log in option.

And now the passkey option is being made available to millions of GOV.UK One Login users. The new passkey sign-in feature will still be optional so users can continue to use a password to login if they prefer.

But it is said passkey logins are eight times faster than signing in with a username, password and 2-step verification code process. The new sign-in rollout can be used to login to a wide range of government services such as managing tax services, accessing childcare support and checking your State Pension.

The Government said the new ‘secure’ sign-in can even be used when trying to renew your driving licence. Stephanie Peacock, The Digital Government Minister, said: “Nobody enjoys hunting for a forgotten password or waiting for a text message code just to check their tax return or renew a document.

“Passkeys mean people can access the services they rely on in seconds, using the same face or fingerprint scan they already use to unlock their phone. This is about making government services safer and simpler for everyone, while giving people stronger protection against the fraudsters who target passwords.”

Jonathon Ellison, NCSC director for national resilience, said: “The introduction of passkeys for GOV.UK One Login will give users a simpler, faster and more secure way to sign in to many public-facing government services while leaving password headaches behind. Cyber criminals often look for the easiest route to access important accounts, which means login details remain a common target.

“But passkeys offer a highly phishing-resistant alternative to passwords, frustrating attackers and saving the public time. We strongly encourage users to set up a passkey for GOV.UK One Login and to do so wherever passkeys are available across digital services. By taking this small but significant step, you can help protect your online accounts and raise our collective resilience, making the UK safer.”

A new political poll has found that four months on from May’s Senedd election, people are still backing Plaid Cymru. Meanwhile it shows there has also been a ‘Burnham bounce’

Plaid Cymru would be the biggest party in the Senedd and Westminster, a new political poll for Wales has shown. While their support is marginally down in both, compared to the last equivalent polling, this latest survey shows they have most voter support in both parliaments.

Reform UK is second in both followed by Labour. The poll, released at 6pm on Tuesday, comes on the day it was announced that Reform UK’s Wales leader Dan Thomas is standing down after being arrested by police. Live reaction here.

The poll, by ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru was between September 7 and 13. The results for the Senedd are from 845 adults who were asked questions and the Westminster polling was of 1,102 adults.

It shows there has been a bounce for Labour since Andy Burnham took over at a Westminster level, with 10% more people saying they would vote for the party if there were a Westminster election tomorrow putting them at 18% vote share.

But at a Senedd Labour level there has only been a climb of 1%.

It means the vote share looks like this in the Senedd:

• Plaid Cymru: 32 (-1)
• Reform UK: 27 (-2)
• Welsh Labour: 13 (+1)
• Welsh Conservatives: 11 (+2)
• Wales Green Party: 7 (-1)
• Welsh Liberal Democrats: 5 (-1)
• Others 5 (+2)

And at Westminster:

• Plaid Cymru: 27 (-3)
• Reform UK: 19 (-7)
• Welsh Labour: 18 (+10)
• Welsh Conservatives: 16 (+4)
• Wales Green Party: 8 (-5)
• Welsh Liberal Democrats: 5 (-1)
• Other 7 (+2)

In terms of how people would vote in an independence referendum, 20% of those quizzed in this poll said they would vote yes in a referendum, which is two percentage-lower than previous and the lowest result in an ITV Cymru Wales/Barn Cymru poll since May 2023.

That comes on the day politicians from across the Senedd chamber forced the First Minister to defend a meeting he held with the leaders of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Monday (September 15).

Each nation’s hopes in terms of independence were spelt out by Mr ap Iorwerth, John Swinney and Sinn Fein’s president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O’Neill at a press conference held in Cardiff and organised by Plaid Cymru.

Mr ap Iorwerth made it clear in the meeting each nation was on their own timetable towards independence but by hosting such a high-profile event, he has been criticised for not focusing on issues like health and education.

When asked how the party leaders in Wales were performing, Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth saw a drop in the number of people who thought he was doing a good job in the poll compared to before he was First Minister, down from 44% to 36%,

Dan Thomas, who today resigned as Reform UK leader, had seen his approval fall from 26% to 20%.

Labour leader, Ken Skates, had a 15% rating.

The Green’s Welsh leader Anthony Slaughter’s approval dropped slightly from 19% to 14%, while the Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar held at 18%.

At a Westminster level, approval ratings for both Reform’s Nigel Farage, down from 36% to 26%, and the Green’s Zack Polanski fell from 31% to 21%.

Dr Jac Larner, from Cardiff University’s Welsh Governance Centre said: “Four months out from May’s Senedd election, little has shifted in party vote intention.

Plaid Cymru retains its lead over Reform, suggesting no penalty for time in power. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth remains popular, with a net positive approval rating — a rarity for a Welsh First Minister in recent times.

“Perceptions of both the Welsh and UK Governments, however, remain poor. The more striking movement is in Westminster voting intention. Reform UK has lost over a quarter of its support at Westminster level, while Labour’s has more than doubled — though this isn’t a direct swap between the two.

Reform is losing ground to the Conservatives and Restore, while Labour is gaining from Green and Plaid supporters.

“Labour will take heart from generally positive views of Andy Burnham, likely fuelling their Westminster gains, but the party’s Senedd group may be less pleased: that boost shows little sign of transferring to devolved-level support during what should be a honeymoon period for the new Prime Minister.

“The result is an uneven pattern of multilevel voting, with 14% of progressive-bloc voters now splitting their preferences between Westminster and Senedd, compared with just 5% among conservative-bloc voters.”

As summer vacations wrap up, schools begin again and temperatures begin to dip, Americans are falling back into their usual routines. 

And one task to put on the fall to-do list is get your annual flu vaccine, experts say. 

Last year’s respiratory season in the US brought about a ‘super flu’ surge driven by subclade K, a highly mutated variant of the Influenza A (H3N2) virus that caused a rapid and severe spike in cases nationwide.

The 2025-2026 respiratory season saw at least 32 million flu cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were about 390,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is one of the most common and highly contagious respiratory infections, impacting around eight percent of the US population each year.

The infection can cause symptoms such as body aches, headaches, fever and a cough and can lead to more serious complications including pneumonia and influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) a severe, brain dysfunction condition.

Doctors recommend an annual flu vaccination to help lower the chances of being infected, but when exactly is flu season and is there such thing as getting the shot too early?

Flu season normally starts in October, with infection rates peaking in December through February, and then dwindling down by springtime, per the CDC. As of September 5, there is minimal activity level for flu cases in the US.

The shot provides protection for about six to eight months, so experts say timing matters. Getting vaccinated too early could mean protection wears off before flu season ends. 

While pharmacies start stocking the vaccine in August and promoting it in September, doctors agree these months are still too early to get the shot. 

October is the ideal month to get vaccinated, with the CDC recommending vaccination by Halloween for the upcoming 2026-2027 respiratory season. 

‘October is when I recommend getting the vaccine as there is more actual influenza activity then – there is very little now,’ Infectious disease expert Dr Amesh Adalja, told Prevention.com.

‘The vaccine will last further into the season if administered in October,’ Adalja added.

One exception for an early flu shot is children under eight years old who have never received one – as they would need two doses spaced apart to build immunity.

Additionally, people at high risk of flu complications, such as those with asthma, may want to consider getting vaccinated earlier. 

There are three different flu virus strains that cause illness: influenza types A, B and C.

Influenza type A can infect people and animals, while type B is usually found only in humans and is generally associated with less severe infections. 

Type C occurs much less frequently than A and B and causes minor illness in humans.

The seasonal flu shot, which is updated every year as the virus mutates, protects against influenza types A and B, as these are the most common and severe strains.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, headaches and fatigue. While most people recover within a week, some may develop complications such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening and require medical treatment.  

The flu shot is one of the most effective preventative measures against infection, reducing the risk of doctor visits by 34 percent and the risk of hospitalization by 30 percent per the CDC, but it can take up to two weeks for the body to develop antibodies after receiving the vaccination.

Because of this, doctors recommend getting the shot a few weeks before an event or gathering where large numbers of people will be indoors.

Anyone can catch the flu, but those most susceptible include people 65 years and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, and children under five. 

Last year’s dominant strain, dubbed the ‘super flu,’ was brand new to people’s immune systems, making them highly vulnerable and at an increased risk of severe, hospitalizing illness. 

While symptoms were the same as other flu strains, experts warned the ‘super flu’ variant was causing more severe illness, especially in children, with signs including week-long fevers and a cough that led to trouble breathing. 

Super flu’s symptoms appear to be similar to previous influenza A strains, though doctors have noted they could be more severe.

Health officials recommend regular handwashing and avoiding contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.

Treatment includes rest, staying hydrated, taking over the counter medication such as Mucinex, or in severe cases, prescription antivirals such as Tamilflu. 

Back in April 2004, in the shadow of the previous European summer, I started work at Downing Street advising the British prime minister on climate change. The 2003 heatwave had killed an estimated 70,000 people across Europe. Many were older people, in homes and neighbourhoods ill-equipped for prolonged heat.

In May this year, I walked through Bordeaux with my 83-year-old mother-in-law in 38C heat. I saw how quickly heat changes the terms of ordinary life. Streets emptied. Shade became essential. The question was not simply the temperature, but whether people could work, sleep or remain safely at home.

That was the European spring. By summer, 42,000 hectares around Gironde and Arcachon surrounding the city had burned. France experienced its worst fires since 1949.

In June, during the Tour de Suisse, the Italian champion cyclist Elisa Longo Borghini suffered heatstroke. She struggled afterwards to remember the final climb. If extreme heat can overwhelm an elite athlete, we should understand the danger it presents to us all.

Europe’s warning is relevant to every Australian city.

Extreme heat is not merely uncomfortable weather. Between 2000 and 2018, extreme heat caused more deaths in Australia than all our bushfires, floods, storms and cyclones combined. Yet it remains under-recognised because it leaves little visible destruction and its effects are often recorded as heart, kidney or respiratory illness rather than heat itself.

And risk is not evenly shared. Older people, particularly those living alone, people with chronic illness, outdoor workers and people in poorly cooled homes are more exposed. As we age, our ability to sense heat, sweat effectively and regulate body temperature can diminish, while thirst can become a less reliable prompt. Staying hydrated must be a habit throughout a hot day, not an afterthought when work is finished.

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This has cultural as well as policy implications. We should challenge the idea that a cold beer is enough to manage the impact of hard physical labour in dangerous heat. Or its quieter twin: the carer skipping her own break to help someone else. Nagging your older relatives and checking on neighbours could save a life.

Australians understand seasonal preparation. We do it for bushfires. Governments plan, agencies coordinate, volunteers are mobilised and communities are encouraged to act before danger arrives.

We should bring the same mindset to extreme heat.

The risk is not confined to bushland at the edge of our cities. It may be a hot top-floor apartment, a home with no shade or breeze, or a worksite. It affects the postcodes of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth differently, but is now a national test of whether our homes, cities and services are ready for the climate we have.

Here in New South Wales, the state government and its agencies have recognised heat as a growing risk and strengthened arrangements for declared heatwaves, including clearer roles and updated warnings.

The government can build on these foundations. Our Heat Stress Spotlight Report identifies a critical gap. NSW has improved its response once a heatwave is declared, but dangerous heat does not always meet a formal threshold. Isolated very hot days and heat combined with high humidity can be dangerous too. Emergency arrangements must be complemented by a coordinated, annual system of preparation.

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We believe NSW Health can lead a seasonal heat plan through the hotter months. It could help agencies prepare, ensure warnings are clear and trusted, and direct support to those at greatest risk. Exposure to extreme heat can also be reduced through cooler housing, better shade and tree cover, stronger thermal protections for renters and social and Aboriginal housing tenants, and effective workplace heat plans.

NSW also needs consistent public data on heat-related illness and deaths. If we cannot see the burden clearly, we cannot judge whether our responses reach those who need it to prevent avoidable harm.

Responding to hotter summers is work government cannot do alone. Resilient Sydney has helped place heat resilience on the public agenda, including through the Greater Sydney Heat Smart City Plan. Sweltering Cities has made the everyday reality of heat in homes, streets and suburbs impossible to ignore, especially for people least able to avoid it. Their work deserves recognition. It also shows why state government, councils, health services, employers and community organisations need to work together.

Bushfires have flames. Floods leave visible damage. Extreme heat acts silently, accumulating in homes, streets and bodies over days and nights. By the time it becomes visible in emergency departments or mortality figures, the opportunity to prevent much of the harm has passed.

We treat bushfire as a seasonal certainty. It is time we treated heat the same way: by preparing early, coordinating well and protecting people before the next heatwave reaches a street near you.

I have a confession to make. Something has gone horribly wrong with the way we GPs hand out heartburn medication. 

Known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, these tablets are some of the most popular medicines in the world. 

This is hardly surprising given that the condition, also known as acid reflux, affects more than six million Britons.

The uncomfortable problem, where stomach acid rises into the throat leading to nausea, discomfort and chest pain, can make life a misery for patients, not least because it can disrupt sleep.

The tablets – which include omeprazole, lansoprazole and esomeprazole – are highly effective and can banish symptoms within hours.

They are also given to patients on long-term courses of anti-inflammatory tablets to protect them from dangerous stomach bleeds.

However, I now tell my patients to stop taking them as soon as possible.

This is because they were never designed to be taken long-term, yet studies show that 40 per cent of patients take them for at least a year and a tenth take them for an astonishing five years or more.

And I find this very worrying because research shows that overusing these tablets raises the risk of bone breaks, vitamin deficiencies and potentially even dementia.

When I tell my patients this, they often say that they fear stopping the tablets will mean their heartburn returns with a vengeance – and it’s certainly true that quitting them suddenly can cause problems.

But in fact, there are a series of lifestyle changes that patients can make to kick PPIs. 

And patients taking them alongside anti-inflammatories can also, with the right steps, come off them too.

So, what are these changes?

First, I should explain what causes heartburn. It happens when the ring of muscle at the bottom of the food pipe, also known as the oesophagus, doesn’t close properly, allowing acid from the stomach to flow back upwards into the gullet.

This is what causes that burning sensation behind the breastbone, along with a sour taste in the mouth, and it’s why symptoms are often worse after eating, lying down or bending over. 

Over time, heartburn can also inflame the lining of the oesophagus, which can raise the risk of oesophageal cancer.

PPIs work by switching off the tiny pumps in the stomach lining that produce acid, cutting down how much is made in the first place. This eases symptoms and gives the lining of the oesophagus a chance to heal.

Used in short bursts, these drugs can be miraculous – ending the suffering of heartburn patients.

However, over the years, researchers have realised that we do, in fact, need stomach acid and limiting its production for too long can have serious consequences.

We now know that patients taking PPIs are more likely to suffer nutrient deficiencies including vitamin B12, magnesium and iron, all of which can lead to fatigue and weakness. 

They are at a greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease, an irreversible and potentially deadly disease.

PPIs users are also more likely to suffer bone fractures, certain infections and, on rare occasions, gastric cancer. 

There is even some evidence that PPIs patients have an increased chance of developing dementia – though more research is needed to prove this link.

However, all told, for many patients the reasons for coming off PPIs far outweigh those for staying on them – not least because there are a series of lifestyle changes that can make them obsolete.

Losing weight, if you carry excess weight, has the strongest evidence base of any lifestyle intervention. 

Extra weight increases pressure in the abdomen and worsens reflux, and even a modest loss of five to ten per cent of your body weight can significantly improve symptoms.

It’s also worth paying attention to triggers. Large meals, eating close to bedtime, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fatty or spicy food and fizzy drinks can all provoke reflux, so cutting back on these can make a real difference. 

Stopping smoking and cutting back on alcohol more generally will help too, as will something as simple as raising the head of the bed.

If symptoms tend to be worse at night, tilting the bed so your head and chest are higher can stop acid travelling back up while you sleep. 

It is important that patients do not come off the tablets suddenly, as this can make symptoms worse. Instead, patients should come off them gradually with the help of their GP.

But for heartburn patients, these changes could be enough to get them off PPIs.

However, not all PPIs patients are taking them for heartburn. There are those on anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for chronic pain conditions, who also need them. 

These drugs can irritate the stomach lining and trigger dangerous bleeds – and PPIs can stop this from happening.

In fact, some studies suggest that the majority of patients who take PPIs for a year or more are taking them alongside anti-inflammatories. So what can these patients do to kick their PPIs?

The first step patients can take is to talk to their GP to find out whether their dose of anti-inflammatories can be lowered or whether it can be taken only as needed rather than every single day. Using them less could eliminate the need for PPIs.

It’s also worth asking about alternatives.

Paracetamol, for example, is a painkiller that does not carry the risk of stomach bleeds. There are anti-inflammatory creams that are instead applied to the skin, which are particularly helpful for joint pain.

There are also ways of managing pain that don’t rely on painkillers, including physiotherapy – regular exercises and stretches proven to ease suffering.

However, the truth is that not everyone can stop taking anti-inflammatories and it is important that these patients keep taking PPIs. 

Stomach bleeds can be dangerous – even life-threatening – so, in this situation, the benefits of a long-term course of PPIs outweigh the risks.

But for everyone else, my advice would be to get off them as soon as is safely possible. 

Heartburn can often feel never-ending but, with the help of your GP, something as simple as eating earlier meals or cutting out alcohol could allow patients to kick PPI tablets.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom property is located on Romilly Park Road in Barry, just a short walk from the nearby beaches, shops, and schools.

The estate agent said the property provides a “delightful blend of comfort and stunning natural beauty.”

The kitchen/breakfast area includes a wood-burning stove (Image: Zoopla)

The front of the home features a raised terrace area, providing views across Romilly Park and the channel.

Upon entering the house, there is an entrance hallway leading to the living room, dining room, and kitchen/breakfast area.

The living room features French doors that open out to the terrace, while the dining room and living room both have views of the park.

The kitchen/breakfast area includes a wood-burning stove and connects to a utility area.

There are multiple living spaces inside (Image: Zoopla)

A W.C cloakroom is also situated on the ground floor.

The first floor accommodates three bedrooms.

Two of these bedrooms offer views of Romilly Park and the Bristol Channel, with one featuring a balcony accessed through French doors.

A tiered garden offers plenty of outdoor space (Image: Zoopla)

The second-floor bedroom also provides views of the park and coastline.

The estate agent said that the bedrooms on the first floor are well-sized, “with the front two offering breath-taking vistas of Romilly Park and the Bristol Channel, ensuring that you wake up to inspiring scenery every day”

The home boasts an enclosed tiered garden, featuring a lawn and established shrubbery.

There are four bedrooms (Image: Zoopla)

A garage is located at the rear of the property, accessible via Park Road.

The estate agent said: “This home is ideally situated just a short stroll from the nearby beaches, shops, and schools, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate both tranquillity and convenience.

“With its stunning views and spacious living areas, this property is a rare find in a sought-after location.”