Gel that eases tummy troubles
CARLA ATKINSON, 67, has lived with upper gastrointestinal discomfort for most of her adult life. The retired mother-ofthree, from Lowestoft, has struggled for years to cope with daily stomach discomfort that tends to be worse in the morning. ‘It’s so unpredictable, as some foods will trigger problems on one day and not on another,’ says Carla. ‘The discomfort is definitely made worse by stress and anxiety about whether there’s going to be a flare-up. That fear of suddenly feeling unwell has impacted on my confidence to socialise, so I have been going out less. ‘When I was working, I used to worry so much about how to manage my condition that I even started to have panic attacks.’ Carla explains that a friend, who had worked as a surgical theatre sister in a hospital, recently told her about silicic acid gel. ‘She had used it herself and found it helpful, and so I decided to give it a try. Since taking silicic acid gel, I haven’t looked back. I now take it in the morning and with my evening meal. ‘Some days are still better than others. But in the main, I’ve been in better control of the condition, which has restored my confidence and enabled me to socialise again. I feel more relaxed and am living a more comfortable life, day-to-day.’ Silicic acid gel is available from Tesco, Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and independent