Simple Tips You Can Follow for Heartburn Relief!

Introduction

The term ‘heartburn’ is misleading as it has nothing to do with the heart. However, because the burning sensation often occurs in the chest and can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, the condition earned its name.  

When there is a reflux of acids from the stomach into the oesophagus (the tube that joins the throat and the stomach), the resulting sensation is known as heartburn. The pain starts from under the breastbone or in the chest and may often even reach the jaw. It usually gets worse during the evenings, when bending over or lying down. Apart from the pain, other symptoms include a bitter taste in the mouth that may feel acidic and foul^1,2. 

Causes of Heartburn

There could be many reasons why heartburn occurs. Sometimes, heartburn occurs because the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), a muscular valve between the oesophagus and the stomach, doesn’t function properly. 

In normal cases, it opens up to let in food or to let out burps. Sometimes, it may open more frequently than necessary or not close properly, allowing the stomach acids to flow into the oesophagus. These acids cause the burning sensation that we associate with heartburn³. The common causes of heartburn is as follows^4,5: 

• Overeating is an important factor that causes the opening of the LES. Obesity, pregnancy and constipation may also cause heartburn as all these conditions put pressure on the stomach. 
• Certain foods increase the production of stomach acids or cause relaxation of the LES. Tomatoes, citrus fruits, onions and garlic, caffeinated products, alcohol and chocolate are the usual foods that trigger heartburn. 

Symptoms of Heartburn

Symptoms of heartburn include: 

• A burning sensation or pain in the chest³. You may usually experience this after eating, and it usually occurs at night. 
• Pain that worsens when you are lying down or bending over³. 
• Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth³. 

When to Worry About Heartburn?

Heartburn could last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the person’s body chemistry. It is very common in pregnant women.  

When heartburn happens occasionally, it is nothing to worry about. Most individuals who have heartburn can improve the situation with lifestyle changes and through over-the-counter medications. But when it is a recurring problem, it may interfere with your day-to-day functioning and could be a cause of worry. Recurrent heartburn is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This can lead to more problems like⁵: 

• A cough that doesn’t go away   
• Ulcers of oesophagus 
• Laryngitis 
• Barrett’s Oesophagus 
• Oesophageal Cancer 

Heartburn is sometimes known to worsen asthma in asthmatic patients, if you experience this condition, it is advisable to consult your Pulmonologist or a Physician

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Testing for GERD in People with Chronic Cough

GERD and heartburn are more connected than you may think. If you experience frequent episodes of heartburn, you may have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). In that case, you may benefit by using heartburn home remedies to help with the uneasiness. Sometimes it can happen that heartburn is not a prominent symptom, but the sustained cough is. To test for GERD, the upper endoscopy is used for a complete understanding of the symptoms. 

Other tests which can be used to detect the disease include the 24-hour pH test (assesses oesophageal pH), MII-pH test (to detect non-acid reflux), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) trial. In the PPIs trial test, the doctor will give you medication that is given to patients who have the disease. If your symptoms start to subside, then it would mean you have GERD⁴. 

Another common test that no longer is recommended by physicians is the Barium swallow⁵. 

Consult a Doctor

Seek an appointment with your doctor if: 

• You have heartburn more than twice a week. 
• You are facing difficulties in swallowing³. 
• Your symptoms don’t improve with over-the-counter medicines. 
• You have persistent vomiting or nausea³. 
• You have weight loss due to a low appetite or eating causes discomfort. 

Beneficial Tips for Heartburn

The following tips can be considered with the guidance of a doctor to help manage heartburn³: 

• Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce pressure on the abdomen. 
• Drink apple cider vinegar mixed with water as apple cider vinegar has an alkalising effect on the body. 
• Sip on ginger tea as it may help soothe heartburn. You can also make ginger a part of your diet by adding it to the gravies and stir-fries. 
• Have a mixture of baking soda and water so the stomach acids get neutralised to give relief. 
• Elevate your upper body to reduce the passage of acids into the oesophagus. by moving the body from the waist up using pillows. 
• Chewing gum may help reduce the acidity in the stomach by diluting acids with saliva. 
• If you are overweight, try losing weight as the fat around the belly puts pressure on the stomach to release acid. 
• Consult with a doctor if you take medicines that may cause heartburn like antibiotics, mineral supplements, and pain killers. 
• Quit smoking as smoking can cause heartburn. 
• Switch to milder exercises as high-impact exercises may contribute to heartburn.  
• Drink cold milk as it helps to neutralise the heartburn caused by acids. If you are not prone to cough and cold, you could also eat ice cream. 
• The age-old remedy to have buttermilk to soothe heartburn still holds true. It reduces the lactic acid in the stomach. Read more about the health benefits of buttermilk 
• Almonds are a great option to help reduce heartburn as they help neutralise the stomach acids.  
• Try and get enough sleep, as insufficient sleep can be a contributing factor to heartburn. 
• Eat a banana as soon as you feel you may have a heartburn developing. To help with overnight reflux, have a few slices of apple before sleeping. Bananas and apples have natural antacids that neutralise acids. 

It is rare that there might be a situation where your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm, causing a condition called hiatal hernia. This condition may present with symptoms mimicking heartburn. Ensure to follow-up with a Gastroenterologist if you have persisting heartburn.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Heartburn

Individuals who have heartburn but have no other serious complications with it, may find it beneficial to consider the following lifestyle changes: 

• Regular exercise may provide tremendous improvements in those who have frequent heartburn. 
• Fatty and fried foods are known to cause severe heartburn. Limiting fat intake in your diet may help improve your condition. 
• Avoid eating just before lying down and avoid slouching or reclining while eating.  
• Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as caffeine, sugar-heavy products, chocolates, soft drinks, tomatoes and citrus fruits. 
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption. 
• Review medicines with a doctor, if you feel they could be causing heartburn. 
• Heartburn and indigestion are common during pregnancy. To reduce the feeling of discomfort, eat five to six small meals instead of three large ones. You may benefit from walking around and sitting upright after having your food.  
• Over-the-counter antacids such as proton-pump inhibitors and histamine-2 blockers may be helpful to manage heartburn, but these medicines have side effects so avoid taking them too often. 

Conclusion

Heartburn can be caused by many factors. Consult a doctor to find the underlying cause of your heartburn in order to begin treatment. Although lifestyle changes usually bring relief in most cases, it is important to seek a doctor’s advice immediately if you don’t see any benefit³.  

References

1. Heartburn: What you need to know [Internet]. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. 2020 [cited 2025 Apr 21]. Available from: https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/heartburn-what-you-need-to-know  
2. Take control of your heartburn – Harvard Health [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2019 [cited 2025 Apr 21]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/take-control-of-your-heartburn  
3. Australia H. Heartburn [Internet]. www.healthdirect.gov.au. 2019 [cited 2025 Apr 21]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/heartburn  
4. Wu J, Ma Y, Chen Y. GERD-related chronic cough: Possible mechanism, diagnosis and treatment. Frontiers in Physiology [Internet]. 2022 Oct 20 [cited 2025 Apr 21];13. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9630749/  
5. Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ. ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Apr 21];117(1):27–56. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2022/01000/ACG_Clinical_Guideline_for_the_Diagnosis_and.14.aspx

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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