Peptest

09/01/2026

Reflux occurs when stomach contents containing pepsin, a protein-digesting enzyme, travel up into the oesophagus, throat, or airways.

These areas lack the stomach’s protective mucus lining, making them more vulnerable to irritation and tissue damage.

Symptoms may include heartburn, chronic cough, hoarseness, and frequent throat clearing.

06/01/2026

Symptoms of reflux disease can affect sleep, comfort and energy levels.

Peptest provides a simple, non-invasive way to diagnose and monitor reflux. It detects the enzyme pepsin in saliva - a key marker of reflux.

Using Peptest can help minimise the use of unnecessary medication and streamline care for people with reflux symptoms.

By identifying and monitoring reflux early, Peptest can support personalised treatment strategies, helping to address both symptoms and underlying risks.

Learn more about Peptest and order your home testing kit online 👇🏽

Peptest is a pepsin saliva diagnostic test - it measures the presence of the stomach enzyme in saliva samples which indicates reflux.

22/12/2025

People who suffer from reflux symptoms at night, including heartburn, breathing difficulties and indigestion, will often struggle to get a decent night’s sleep. 😴

If you’re waking frequently and struggling with tiredness in the morning, there are some simple tips you can try to enjoy a good night’s rest.🥱

1️⃣ Try sleeping on your left side

2️⃣ Elevate your upper body

3️⃣ Avoid large, late-night meals

Find more reflux tips 👇🏽

https://www.peptest.co.uk/news/

17/12/2025

It appears the air we breathe matters: exposure to traffic fumes and fine particles is linked with higher risk of reflux disease.

A new cohort survey, published on Frontiers in Public Health, reports that air pollution could be a driver behind gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can lead to symptoms such as heartburn and acidic burps.

Read all about it 👇🏽

New analysis suggests an association between long-term exposure to air pollution and higher rates of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

12/12/2025

Keeping a reflux symptom diary can help you see how much your symptoms are affecting day-to-day life.

It also gives you a clearer way to explain to your doctor what you’re experiencing, whether there are any patterns and what else might be going on alongside the symptoms.

05/12/2025

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that’s normally found in the stomach, where it helps break down proteins in food. When it turns up outside the stomach, though, it can be a sign of reflux, especially in people who don’t have the classic symptoms.

Studies have found pepsin in the saliva of patients with reflux laryngitis, in the breath of people with certain lung conditions, and even in the middle ear of people with glue ear.

Because pepsin can irritate and damage tissues over time, weakening protective proteins and affecting important cell structures like the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria, spotting it early helps confirm reflux and guide treatment.

Testing saliva for the stomach enzyme pepsin can help speed up the management of reflux, a new research study featuring Peptest has concluded

04/12/2025

Why is diagnosis of reflux important?

Continuous, untreated reflux disease can lead to a very poor quality of life and may also lead to serious problems, such as damage to the oesophagus, oesophageal cancer and cancer of the larynx.

Receiving reflux treatment without confirming that symptoms are caused by reflux is also dangerous Taking medication when unnecessary can lead to long-term health problems and might conceal a serious issue.

Peptest is an accurate, painless and inexpensive test that tells you if you have reflux.

Find out more and order your reflux diagnostic kit here 👇🏽

Peptest is a pepsin saliva diagnostic test - it measures the presence of the stomach enzyme in saliva samples which indicates reflux.

03/12/2025

A review of six long-term studies (over 1.3 million people) revealed that people with diagnosed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) went on to have more heart attacks than people without GERD.

Reflux chest pain can feel very similar to cardiac pain, which is why the two are often confused. There’s also growing interest in how reflux-related inflammation might interact with blood vessels over time.

Find out more here 👇🏽

A new review suggests that people with diagnosed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease have more heart attacks than people without GERD.

27/11/2025

Increasing your intake of plant-based foods – like legumes, nuts and seeds – may significantly lower the risk of experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, according to research.

Conversely, diets high in animal products, especially organ meats and fatty foods, are associated with a greater likelihood of reflux episodes.

Find out more about the study here 👇🏽

Increasing intake of plant-based foods - like legumes, nuts and seeds - may significantly lower the risk of experiencing reflux symptoms.

20/11/2025

Many people with reflux do not experience the classic heartburn symptom. Sometimes symptoms are less obvious, or easily mistaken for something else. But, left untreated, can lead to serious issues.

Find out more about Peptest - a non-invasive diagnostic test that detects pepsin, a stomach enzyme, in a saliva or sputum sample to help diagnose reflux.👇🏽

https://www.peptest.co.uk/

14/11/2025

Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition where the lining of the oesophagus changes due to long-term reflux, can increase the risk of oesophageal cancer.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely used treatment to remove damaged tissue, using heat energy to destroy abnormal cells in the oesophagus.

A recent study examines how different follow-up treatments after RFA might affect the recovery of the oesophagus lining and the risk of Barrett’s returning. 👇🏽

Post-treatment approaches after radiofrequency ablation may influence the recovery and recurrence of Barrett’s oesophagus, study claims

12/11/2025

Alcohol use disorder affects millions of people and contributes to nearly 178,000 deaths every year in the US. It is treatable, including in routine primary care, but it is also widely missed. Many patients with alcohol use disorder are never screened, never diagnosed and never offered support.

Adults diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) within the next two years – especially under the age of 58 – according to new research from Saint Louis University.

Researchers say this could be a chance for GPs to ask about drinking earlier.

Adults diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease are more likely to be diagnosed with alcohol use disorder within two years: study.