About Heartburn

About Heartburn

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What's happening in your body when you get heartburn?

Frequent Heartburn

Frequent heartburn is a common condition that affects one in six adults. If you're unlucky enough to have it, you will know the toll it can take on your life: You can't eat or drink what you want and it can leave you in pain. It often prevents you getting a good night's sleep, leaving you tired at work. Don't let heartburn get the better of you. Control it.
Physical Symptoms

Burning pain in the chest area, the back of your throat or oesophagus.
A bitter hot or unpleasant taste or fluid in the back of the throat or mouth.
A burning pain that wakes you in the night, causing you to feel tired in the daytime.
A general feeling of being unwell.
In Your Mind

Many frequent heartburn sufferers become preoccupied with setting off an attack of heartburn and feel this can restrict their enjoyment of life.

It can lead to irritation or frustration over the frequent burning pain, made worse by the tiredness from interrupted sleep.
Watch Out

It can be a sign of something more serious

Rarely, heartburn can be a sign of a more serious medical problem. See your GP if your symptoms do not improve after 14 consecutive days of treatment or if you have any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain with light-headedness, sweating, dizziness or shoulder pain with shortness of breath
Vomiting food or blood
Passing black stools
Weight loss for no apparent reason
Pain or other problems swallowing
Pain or signs of indigestion such as nausea or bloated feeling after eating
You are over 55 and have new or recently changed acid reflux symptoms.

What causes a heartburn attack?

Weight

Carrying extra weight can put pressure on your oesophageal valve and your stomach, allowing acid to rise up into your oesophagus.

Drink

Alcohol or fizzy drinks can trigger heartburn. If you do drink, do so in moderation and avoid lying down after drinking.

Pregnancy

Hormonal changes can relax the valve between your stomach and oesophagus, letting acid leak upwards. Your changing shape can also increase pressure on that valve and your stomach, making heartburn more likely.

Stress

Lack of sleep and stress can trigger heartburn by putting strain on your body, especially if you’re prone to it anyway.

Food

Spicy/acidic food can trigger heartburn. Or it could be rich or fatty foods or chocolate. Simply eating a big meal, or eating too late at night, can also bring it on.

Smoking

Smoking can trigger heartburn or make it feel worse once it starts. Smoking relaxes the valve between your stomach and your oesophagus, allowing acid to leak upwards, plus it can cause you to produce more acid.

Changing your lifestyle can help with heartburn

Think about your diet

Avoid foods or drinks that trigger heartburn for you. Cut out bedtime snacks or large meals late at night. Eat slowly and wait before lying down or exercising. Cutting down on alcohol, coffee or fizzy drinks can also help.

Stop smoking

Smoking can trigger heartburn or make it feel worse once it starts. If you do smoke, try avoiding it just before or after eating.

Take regular exercise

Exercise and losing weight can often help. Although certain abdominal exercises like stomach crunches can also push acid out of the stomach, causing heartburn.