Heartburn is that painful, burning feeling in your chest that is caused when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus¹, better known as acid reflux. This pain usually occurs in the middle of your chest², behind the breastbone, and can radiate upwards toward your throat, neck, or jaw. Since the esophagus is closely located to the heart, there are many people that mistake these chest pains to be possible signs of a heart attack and vice versa³.

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

• 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
• A stuffy nose
• Wheezing
• Waking up from sleep because of cough or stomach discomfort

Usually, these uncomfortable heartburn symptoms are triggered right after eating and can last for a few minutes or even longer, depending on the cause and severity. Moving around after eating or taking antacids can help curb these symptoms quickly but when the chest pain becomes too much for too long, or if you’re unsure of the cause of the pain, it’s best to seek medical help right away.

Experiencing heartburn symptoms once in a while is usually nothing to worry about, but if you consistently experience heartburn, a few times a week or more, you should consult a doctor.

Anyone can experience heartburn. Generally, this usually occurs when the contents of your stomach make their way back up your esophagus. The esophagus and the stomach are connected by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and when this doesn’t function properly, it can cause acid reflux which can trigger heartburn.

Food and drink are usually seen as the culprits of heartburn though the exact contribution of certain food and drinks to heartburn are still being studied. Research has shown that eating certain food and drink are associated to the relaxing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which can trigger acid reflux symptoms leading to heartburn. Here’s a quick list of food and drinks commonly known to trigger heartburn:

• 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

Image from Freepik.

Other possible heartburn causes include:

• Being overweight ¹¹ – Carrying extra weight can add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing stomach acid to travel back to the esophagus which can trigger heartburn.
• Stress and anxiety ¹² – When you’re stressed, you become more sensitive to smaller amounts of acid in your esophagus which can trigger symptoms of acid reflux and
• Pregnancy⁸ can cause heartburn. It usually happens during the second and third trimester caused by the increase in progesterone, the growing baby pushing adding pressure onto your organs, and slower digestion

Image from Freepik.

• Hiatal hernia ⁵ – happens when the upper part of your stomach penetrates through the diaphragm due to weakness or tearing. This lowers the pressure on the LES and can increase the risk of heartburn.
• Certain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, sedatives, and even blood pressure medication ¹³ – Some medicines have been reported to trigger sudden heartburn and reflux symptoms. This is especially common among older adults who take multiple medications regularly. Having said this, do not stop any prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice.
• Smoking ¹³ – This can reduce pressure on the LES which can trigger heartburn but it also reduces the production of saliva which is rich in bicarbonate which can help buffer and clear acid from the esophagus.
• Change in hormones like progesterone and estrogen
• Stomach ulcers
• Bacterial infections in the stomach¹⁴ – Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori, contracted through infected water or unsafely prepared food, is a bacteria that can attack the lining that protects your stomach. This bacteria can cause the stomach to be inflamed and produce more acid which can lead to heartburn. If left untreated this can lead to stomach ulcers or even stomach cancer.

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 is best to find a remedy that works for you. Some heartburn symptoms usually go away on their own, or with the help of taking an antacid. If you’re looking for quick heartburn relief, you can take Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon). You can also try the Tprotective raft. Both variants work in as fast as 3 minutes for heartburn and give relief that lasts up to 4 hours¹⁵. They are meant for consumption of adults and children 12 years old and above. Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon and Gaviscon Double Action)  come in liquid or tablet form.

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals, as well as, eating in a slow and relaxed manner ^6,9 puts less pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) lowering the chances of heartburn caused by acid reflux
2. Chew sugarless gum after your meal ⁹. Acid can be neutralized through the saliva produced by gum chewing. Though avoid minty flavors because they can trigger heartburn
3. Relax! ^6,12 Try to lessen stress by doing what works for you. You can try meditation, deep breathing, listening to relaxing music, taking a light walk, etc.
4. Try to quit or lessen smoking ^5,6,10, if you do.
5. Check your meds! ⁹ Consult your doctor or a pharmacist if any of the meds you take can worsen your acid reflux which can lead to heartburn.
6. Try to lose weight ^6,9,10 if you need it. Being overweight can add more pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the risk of heartburn.
7. If you do experience waking up with heartburn, tilt your torso up when you sleep with a wedge-shaped cushion ^5,6,9,10 that can help reduce the pressure on your LES.

Here are some things you can avoid to help prevent heartburn:

8. Ditch the food and drink that can trigger your heartburn. ^5,6,9,10 These can be fried, high fat, or spicy food. Coffee, alcohol, and soda are also common triggers.
9. Avoid eating late at night or too close to your bedtime. ^6,9,10 Your last meal should be 3 to 4 hours before your bedtime. Give your stomach enough time to digest!
10. Don’t lie down after eating. ^5,6,9 Lying down aggravates acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.

Image from jcomp from Freepik.

11. Abstain from strenuous activities or heavy exercising ⁹ immediately after meals.
12. Avoid wearing tight clothing ^5,6,10 especially around your waist.

Following these dos and don’ts will surely help you in dealing with what causes heartburn. Though if heartburn symptoms continue to persist, it’s best to schedule a visit with your doctor to find out the underlying causes of your heartburn and discuss other possible treatment options.

Now that you’ve discovered more about heartburn, along with its causes and symptoms, as well as its treatments and remedies, we hope that you feel better equipped to deal with heartburn symptoms.

If you want to learn more about how Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon) can help with heartburn, you can click here.