Remedy for heartburn at home

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone caused when stomach contents move back towards the food pipe. Acid reflux can be occasional or frequent. A hiatus hernia may make reflux easier, while gastritis or a peptic ulcer can cause upper abdominal discomfort that feels similar. Some medicines, alcohol, smoking, and excess body weight can aggravate symptoms. Heartburn is not the same as every type of chest pain, so the pattern and associated symptoms matter.

Choose smaller meals, eat slowly, and remain upright after eating rather than lying down soon afterwards. Notice whether fatty foods, spicy foods, coffee, chocolate, mint, alcohol, or late meals trigger symptoms for you. Raise the upper end of the bed if symptoms occur during sleep; extra pillows alone may bend the body and be less helpful. Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen and stop smoking if you smoke. A pharmacist can explain whether an antacid, alginate, or acid-reducing medicine is appropriate and how it fits with your other medicines.

Call emergency services for chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back. Seek prompt medical care for vomiting blood, black stools, trouble swallowing, food sticking, persistent vomiting, or unexplained weight loss. Arrange a review if heartburn is frequent, keeps returning despite home measures, begins after a new medicine, or regularly interrupts sleep.

Could my symptoms be reflux, gastritis, or an ulcer? Which medicine is safe with my current prescriptions? Do I need testing because swallowing or sleep is affected?