Why does obesity cause heartburn?

The oesophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. A ring of muscle at its lower end normally helps keep stomach contents down. Extra pressure around the abdomen can make reflux more likely, particularly after a large meal, when bending, or when lying down. Acid and other stomach contents can irritate the oesophagus and cause a burning feeling behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or regurgitation. Heartburn is a common presentation of Obesity, but heartburn can also have other causes.

Notice whether symptoms follow particular meals, drinks, body positions, or medicines, and share that pattern at an appointment. Smaller meals, avoiding lying down soon after eating, and raising the head of the bed may reduce night-time reflux for some people. A clinician can review medicines, discuss approaches to weight management that suit your health, and advise whether an acid-reducing treatment is appropriate. Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice.

Arrange a medical review if heartburn is recurrent, disturbs sleep, affects eating, or does not settle with simple measures. Seek urgent care for chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder. Urgent assessment is also needed for vomiting blood, black stools, food sticking when swallowed, or unexplained weight loss.

Ask what may be triggering the reflux, whether your current medicines could contribute, and which treatment options fit your symptoms. You can also ask whether swallowing symptoms or ongoing night-time symptoms need further testing.