Heartburn

Getting to Know Heartburn

Heartburn is a painful, burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. Typically felt behind the breastbone, this pain can spread upward to your throat, neck, or jaw. Because the esophagus is close to the heart, heartburn is easily mistaken for a heart attack, and vice versa.^1,9 

How do I know that it’s heartburn?

Aside from a burning sensation in your chest and/or your throat, signs of heartburn commonly appear as the following symptoms:¹ 

• Pressure behind the breastbone
• An acidic, sour, or bitter taste in the mouth
• Having trouble swallowing
• Worsening pain after lying down or bending over
• Feeling bloated
• Needing to burp

Heartburn can also manifest through:

• Coughing or hiccups
• Hoarseness in your voice
• Waking up from sleep because of cough or stomach discomfort

Usually, heartburn symptoms are triggered shortly after eating and can last a few minutes or longer, depending on what caused it. Moving around after eating or taking antacids can help ease symptoms quickly.

Experiencing heartburn once in a while is usually nothing to worry about. However, if chest pain persists for too long or if you have heartburn several times a week, consult your doctor.

What Causes Heartburn?

Anyone can experience heartburn. It occurs when stomach contents flow back up into your esophagus. A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) controls this passage. When it doesn't function properly, acid reflux occurs, triggering heartburn.

Certain foods and drinks can relax the LES, leading to acid reflux and heartburn. Common triggers include:² 

• Fried, high fat, or spicy food
• Mint
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Chocolate
• Onions
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products
• Alcohol
• Coffee and caffeinated drinks
• Sodas and carbonated beverages

Other possible heartburn causes include:

• Being overweight: Carrying extra weight can add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and trigger heartburn.³
• Stress and anxiety: When stressed, you may become more sensitive to acid in your esophagus, triggering acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.⁴
• Pregnancy: May cause heartburn, usually during the second and third trimester. This is due to increased progesterone, the growing baby adding pressure on your organs, and slower digestion.⁵
• Hiatal hernia: This occurs when the upper part of your stomach protrudes through the diaphragm due to weakness or tearing. This lowers the pressure on the LES and increases the risk of heartburn.⁶

• Certain medications: Aspirin, ibuprofen, sedatives, and blood pressure medicines have been reported to trigger heartburn and reflux symptoms, especially among older adults taking multiple medications. Don’t stop any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor first.⁷
• Smoking: Reduces pressure on the LES, which can trigger heartburn. It also decreases saliva production, and saliva contains bicarbonate that helps buffer and clear acid from the esophagus.⁸
• Bacterial infections (H. pylori): This bacterium, contracted through contaminated water or unsafely prepared food, attacks your stomach lining. It can cause inflammation and increased acid production, leading to heartburn. If left untreated, it can cause stomach ulcers or cancer.¹
• Stomach ulcers: Can cause or worsen heartburn symptoms.

The following actions can also trigger heartburn symptoms:

• Eating a large meal
• Lying down and exercising immediately after eating
• Wearing tight clothes

Whatever the cause of your heartburn, it’s important to find a remedy that works for you. While some heartburn symptoms may go away on their own, others may require the help of an antacid.

If you’re looking for heartburn relief, you can take Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action). It works by forming a protective raft over the stomach contents to help prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus, while antacids neutralize excess stomach acid.

Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) Liquid provides heartburn relief in as fast as 3 minutes and lasts up to 4 hours¹⁰. It is intended for adults and children aged 12 years and above.

Tips to Relieve Heartburn

Making simple lifestyle changes can help prevent and manage heartburn. Here are practical steps you can take to reduce discomfort and find relief:^1,9  

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Consume meals slowly and in a relaxed manner. This puts less pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and lowers the chances of heartburn.
2. Chew sugarless gum after meals: Gum chewing increases saliva production, which helps neutralize acid in your esophagus. Avoid minty flavors as they can trigger heartburn.
3. Review your medications: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you take that may worsen acid reflux and heartburn.
4. Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight adds pressure to your LES, increasing heartburn risk. Weight loss can help reduce symptoms.
5. Elevate your head while sleeping: If you wake up with heartburn, use a wedge-shaped pillow to tilt your torso upward. This reduces pressure on your LES and can help prevent nighttime symptoms.

To reduce your heartburn symptoms, try to avoid the following triggers and habits:^1,9

1. Avoid trigger foods and drinks: Limit fried, high-fat, and spicy foods. Coffee, alcohol, and soda are also common triggers that can worsen heartburn.
2. Don't eat late at night: Your last meal should be 3 to 4 hours before bedtime to give your stomach enough time to digest.
3. Avoid lying down after eating: Lying down aggravates acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.
4. Skip strenuous exercise after meals: Avoid heavy exercising immediately after eating, as it can trigger heartburn.
5. Avoid tight clothing: Especially avoid tight waistbands, as they can add pressure to your stomach and worsen symptoms.
6. Reduce stress levels: Chronic stress can make you more sensitive to acid reflux symptoms. Practice meditation, deep breathing, relaxing music, or light walks to manage stress.
7. Avoid or quit smoking: Smoking weakens the LES and reduces the production of acid-neutralizing saliva, making heartburn more likely. If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing your intake.

Following these tips will help you manage heartburn. For quick relief of heartburn symptoms in a fast as 3 minutes that lasts up to 4 hours, try Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) Liquid.¹⁰  

Before taking this medication, always read the label carefully. This medicine contains sodium and calcium. If you're on a sodium or calcium-restricted diet, consult your doctor before taking this product.

Do not use after the expiry date listed on the package (month/year).

When to seek medical attention: If symptoms persist for more than 7 days, consult your doctor.¹¹ 

REFERENCES

1. National Health Service. (2023, November 20). Heartburn and acid reflux. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/
2. Restivo, J., & Hendley, J. (2026, January 23). GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gerd-diet-foods-to-avoid-to-reduce-acid-reflux
3. Xie, M., Deng, L., Fass, R., & Song, G. (2024). Obesity is associated with higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and reflux related complications: A global healthcare database study. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 36(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.14750
4. Özenoğlu, A., Anul, N., & Özçelikçi, B. (2023). The relationship of gastroesophageal reflux with nutritional habits and mental disorders. Human Nutrition & Metabolism, 33, 200203.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2023.200203
5. Ali, R. A. R., Hassan, J., & Egan, L. J. (2022). Review of recent evidence on the management of heartburn in pregnant and breastfeeding women. BMC Gastroenterology, 22(1), 219. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-022-02287-w
6. Shahsavari, D., Smith, M. S., Malik, Z., & Parkman, H. P. (2022). HIATAL hernias associated with acid reflux: Size larger than 2 cm matters. Diseases of the Esophagus. https://doi.org/10.1093/dote/doac001
7. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, January 11). Gerd: Can certain medications make it worse?. Mayo Clinic.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/expert-answers/heartburn-gerd/faq-20058535
8. Ness-Jensen, E., & Lagergren, J. (2017). Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 31(5), 501–508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004
9. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, September 20). Heartburn - Diagnosis & treatment . Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373229
10. Strugala, V., Dettmar, P., Sarratt, K., Sykes, J., Berry, P., & Thomas, E. (2010). A randomized, controlled, crossover trial to investigate times to onset of the perception of soothing and cooling by over-the-counter heartburn treatments. Journal of International Medical Research, 38(2), 449–457. https://doi.org/10.1177/147323001003800208
11. Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) Patient Information Leaflet (Dec 2023)
12. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, April 23). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940

ASC Reference No. R0042N091426G