Dancehall artiste Vegas has been admitted to hospital again following an acute case of pericarditis and gastroesophageal reflux.

Sports medicine specialist, Dr. Paul Wright, breaks down the disease in simple terms. He says, "The pericardium is tissue that surrounds the heart itself, so if that is inflamed it will apply pressure on the heart muscle, causing pain and it could stop the heart which could lead to very serious conditions."

As for Vegas' other condition, Dr. Wright explained that, "Gastro is latin for stomach, and oesophagus is the tube leading into the stomach. So if you have any condition that causes the acid to go in an upward direction (reflux), there will be serious problems because the acid will burn the tissues that line the walls of the oesophagus."

This condition, Dr. Wright says, is known as G.E.R.D. which means gastroesophageal reflux disease and there is treatment for that.

When THE STAR team visited Vegas in hospital, he said, "A di worst pain mi ever feel, 30 times the pain wey yuh get from toothache."

Vegas, who has been admitted to hospital since last Tuesday said it was the third time that he has had to seek medical attention for Pericarditis.

Now, he has to make some major changes to his lifestyle if he intends to control his illness.

He now has to sleep in an upright position, and this he has been doing for the past four months, and he is not allowed to eat any fried food, nothing with grease, no dairy, no spice, no pepper, no tomato and no ketchup.

In addition, Vegas says, "mi cyan eat three hours before mi guh to bed, mi haffi gi di food time fi digest an mi haffi eat in small quantities, no belly full ting again."

Vegas said that when he fell ill he swore on his life that he was finished with music.

"Mi sey mi done wid music, mi all fling wey mi performance cd when mi done a one show a Bermuda last Saturday. But di Doctor sey mi can come si down a mi yard an all have di condition worst. Dem sey it nuh have nutt'n fi do wid physical activity," Vegas said.

Vegas says everything right now is on hold, as he has not heard anything conclusive from his doctors regarding when he will be released from hospital.

"Mi did haffi cancel one show wey mi have a Costa Rica this Saturday an if mi nuh a hundred per cent mi nah guh do Sumfest either, maybe mi wi be a spectator. But if mi feel good mi a guh," he said.

According to Vegas, his illness has been setting him back musically because, "a good amount a di riddim dem mi miss out pon, shows an even all di Jovi tune (You Gonna Need Me), mi nuh get fi do no promotion pon it."

Vegas is hoping to be back on his feet soon though. He is looking forward to his new album, 'Hot It Up' to be released August 28th for an independent label.