Heartburn

Overview

Heartburn is an unpleasant burning feeling that you experience in your chest as a result of acid reflux. It is usually accompanied by other signs and symptoms such as acid regurgitation, epigastric pain, odynophagia with hot beverages or alcohol, nausea, bloating, hypersalivation and chronic sore throat. Heartburn is a common issue. Sometimes, it can be caused by spicy food, alcohol, coffee, being overweight or obese, pregnancy, eating close to bedtime or lying down right after a meal, smoking, stress, and medications such as painkillers and hypertensive medications. Heartburn can be prevented by eating small and frequent meals, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake, and learning to manage stress effectively. However, some people may need medications such as antacids, H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors to ease their symptoms.