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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 foul1,2

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 follows4,5: 

Symptoms of Heartburn

Symptoms of heartburn include: 

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

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: 

Beneficial Tips for Heartburn

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

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: 

Also Read: The Best Home Remedies For Hernia

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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