Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, a condition where some stomach contents, like acid and food, travel back up into the esophagus. It will create a burning pain in your chest.

If you experience acid reflux at least 2 or more times per week, it's considered gastro-esophageal reflux disorder.

Heartburn occurs when the stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, which carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Heartburn is a symptom of GERD.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning feeling in your chest that may also extend to your neck and throat. This can be a symptom of many conditions, including acid reflux, GERD or even pregnancy.

When you are experiencing heartburn, you may also experience a bitter or sour taste in the back of your throat. This feeling can last between a few minutes and several hours. Heartburn often stunts after eating and when we quickly switch from an upright position to laying down.

Stomach acid rising up into your esophagus is what causes heartburn. This can happen if your esophageal sphincter (the muscle that separates your stomach from your throat) relaxes more than it should or if you have a hiatal hernia.

Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn, such as spicy foods, fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. Pregnancy, obesity, and smoking are also risk factors for heartburn.

Causes of Heartburn

Heartburn is caused by a variety of factors. The most common cause is reflux, or GERD. When stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, reflux occurs. This can happen after eating or drinking, lying down, or bending over.

Other causes of heartburn include:

Hiatal hernia: This condition occurs when the top part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm. This can allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach. This can cause the contents of the stomach to back up into the esophagus.
Obesity: Obesity increases the risk of heartburn because extra weight can put pressure on the stomach and cause reflux.
Certain foods and beverages: Eating or drinking certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn, such as spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, tomato sauce, caffeine, and alcohol.

Symptoms of Heartburn

There are a number of different symptoms of heartburn. Your chest may feel like it is burning, which is the most typical symptom. This burning feeling can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms include:

Burning in Chest: If you have ever experienced a burning sensation in your chest after eating, you may have had heartburn. Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus.
Difficulty swallowing: Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. This can happen after you eat, if you bend over or lie down, or if you take certain medications such as antacids.
Burn in Throat: If you experience a burning sensation in your throat, it is most likely heartburn. When stomach acid enters the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, heartburn results. This can happen after you eat, especially if you eat too much or eat spicy, fatty, or acidic foods.

Heartburn symptoms can also be triggered by lying down after a meal, drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking certain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

You should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms. They can help determine if you have GERD and develop a treatment plan.

Treating/Fixing a Heart Burn

There are many ways to treat and fix a heartburn. Heartburn is a common problem that can be caused by several different things. The most common cause of heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, allowing stomach contents and acid to flow back up into the esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat, as well as pain and difficulty swallowing. Other causes of heartburn include pregnancy, stress, smoking, and certain foods and beverages.

Heartburn can usually be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as antacids or histamine blockers. These drugs neutralize stomach acid or stop its production to function. If OTC medications do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). By preventing the generation of stomach acid, PPIs function. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a structural problem with the LES.

If you experience heartburn regularly, you should see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. You may also want to make lifestyle changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods and beverages, quitting smoking, and losing weight if overweight or obese.

Prevention of Heartburn

You can do a few of the following to avoid heartburn:

Avoid eating large meals. Eating smaller meals more often can help prevent heartburn.
Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. Common triggers include spicy foods, fatty foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and mint.
Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. This gives your stomach time to properly digest your food and can help prevent heartburn.
Stay upright after eating. Avoid lying down or reclining for at least two hours after a meal to help prevent heartburn.
Wear loose-fitting clothes. Heartburn can be made worse by wearing tight clothing because it puts pressure on your stomach.

Conclusion

There are many different heartburn symptoms that can occur, and they can range from mild to severe. If you think you might be experiencing heartburn, it's important to consult with your doctor to rule out other potential causes. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms, like avoiding trigger foods and eating smaller meals more frequently. With a little trial and error, you should be able to find a heartburn management plan that works for you and helps you feel better.