How to get rid of heartburn

Heartburn is a burning discomfort behind the breastbone that can rise toward the throat. It happens when stomach contents move upward and irritate the food pipe. Acid reflux is a common cause, while gastritis, a hiatus hernia, or a peptic ulcer can produce overlapping upper-abdominal symptoms. The symptom does not by itself confirm any one diagnosis.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating rather than reclining. Notice whether fatty foods, spicy meals, coffee, chocolate, mint, or late meals bring symptoms on, then reduce personal triggers. Avoid tight clothing around the waist and raise the head of the bed if night symptoms disturb sleep. A pharmacist or clinician can discuss acid reflux medication and how to use it safely. Read about [Heartburn](/symptoms/heartburn/) and [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/) for more context.

Book medical advice if heartburn is frequent, keeps returning, affects sleep, or does not improve with simple changes. Seek urgent help for chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Prompt assessment is also needed for vomiting blood, black stools, progressive difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, or unexplained weight loss.

Tell your doctor when symptoms occur, whether food or lying down triggers them, and what you have tried. Ask whether your symptoms fit reflux, whether a medicine review is needed, and which warning signs should prompt urgent help.