Ways to stop heartburn

Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone caused when stomach contents irritate the food pipe. Acid reflux is a common cause. A hiatus hernia can make reflux easier in some people, while gastritis or a peptic ulcer may cause upper abdominal discomfort with different features. Some medicines and excess body weight can also influence symptoms. Heartburn can resemble chest pain from other causes, so the pattern and accompanying symptoms matter.

Try smaller meals, eat slowly, and avoid lying down soon after eating. Notice whether fatty meals, spicy foods, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, or other personal triggers bring symptoms on, then reduce only the triggers that clearly affect you. Raise the head end of the bed if night symptoms occur; extra pillows alone may bend the body rather than lift the chest. Stop smoking if relevant and ask a clinician about weight-related support without pursuing sudden restrictive diets. A pharmacist can explain acid-reflux medication and how to take it safely.

Get urgent help for chest pressure with sweating, breathlessness, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Arrange medical review for frequent symptoms, difficulty or pain when swallowing, persistent vomiting, black stools, vomiting blood, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms that continue despite self-care. New or changing chest pain should not be assumed to be reflux.

Could my medicines or another condition be contributing? Which treatment should I try and for how long? Do my symptoms need testing, especially if swallowing is difficult or they occur at night?