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General Heartburn Information and Related Conditions

  • What is Heartburn?

    Heartburn is a painful condition caused by stomach acid rising up into the oesophagus (gullet or food pipe) and touching the unprotected lining.

  • What is frequent heartburn?

    If you get heartburn more than once a week.

  • What’s the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?

    When stomach contents flow back up into the oesophagus, this is called acid reflux. Heartburn is the most common name for the burning pain you feel when this happens.

  • Why does my heartburn get worse at night?

    Heartburn is caused by stomach acid rising up into the oesophagus. When you lie down in bed, this can make it easier for acid to escape the stomach and to irritate the oesophagus lining, causing the pain of heartburn.

  • What are common symptoms of frequent heartburn?

    The exact signs of heartburn vary from person to person, but most include burning pain and related discomfort. If you experience heartburn more than once a week, this is frequent heartburn. People with frequent heartburn are also more likely to experience one or more of the other potential effects listed below.

    Physical symptoms

    • • A burning pain in the chest area, the back of the throat or throughout the oesophagus.
    • • Pain that wakes you up and keeps you from sleeping.
    • • A bitter, hot or unpleasant taste or fluid in the back of the throat or mouth.
    • • Feeling tired during the day due to night-time waking and pain.
    • • Feeling generally unwell or under the weather.

  • Are there certain foods that cause heartburn?

    Not everyone has the same heartburn triggers. Some people find that spicy or acidic food brings on their heartburn, while others have alcohol or fizzy drinks as a trigger. Other possibilities are rich or fatty foods, like chocolate. And simply eating a large meal, or eating too late at night, can be a cause.

Heartburn Treatment

  • Why does my frequent heartburn come back after I’ve taken an antacid?

    Antacids are heartburn treatments designed to give temporary relief from the pain of heartburn. They work by neutralising the stomach acid already produced, but don’t tackle acid production, so they may need to be taken repeatedly to maintain their effect.

  • What are some lifestyle choices I can make every day to help reduce heartburn?

    There are several lifestyle choices, which can contribute to reducing heartburn symptoms.

    Reduce stress: Stress can contribute to heartburn.

    Exercise regularly: Regular exercise and losing weight can often help and can contribute to you being healthier overall. However be mindful that certain exercises such as stomach crunches can push acid out of the stomach causing heartburn.

    Control portions: Reducing portion size and avoiding big meals close to laying down/going to sleep.

    Stop smoking: If you smoke, try to cut down or quit as smoking relaxes the valve at the top of your stomach, allowing excess stomach acid to reflux into your oesophagus.

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Where to go next…

Learn more about heartburn