Heartburn: What Is It + Prevention Tips

Although it's typically not a cause for concern, you or someone you love may experience heartburn from time to time. The uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest or throat impacts over 60 million Americans each month, according to the National Institutes of Health.

However, you might not know that there are ways to prevent heartburn or even what exactly causes it. Here we dive deeper into what heartburn really is as well as some strategies and treatments that can relieve your symptoms or even prevent heartburn in the first place.

Heartburn Has Nothing to Do With Your Heart

Despite the name, heartburn doesn't involve your heart. Most often, heartburn is caused by acid reflux, which is when stomach acid travels into your esophagus.

When you eat, the food you swallow passes through your throat into your esophagus and then through an opening into your stomach.

This opening at the bottom of your esophagus is supposed to close once the food enters your stomach, but if it doesn't, acid from your stomach may travel up into your esophagus and even into your throat.

This acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus and throat, causing the most common symptom of burning in the chest.

You may also experience heartburn more often when lying down or bending over. This is because stomach acid can more easily enter your esophagus when you're in those positions.

Certain Foods Can Make It Worse

Some individuals, including those who are pregnant or obese, are more likely to experience heartburn.

There are also certain foods and drinks that can trigger heartburn, like:

• Spicy foods
• Acidic foods, including those that include citrus flavors (lemons or oranges) or tomatoes
• Alcoholic beverages
• Caffeinated drinks
• Grains like those found in pastas
• Dairy foods, including ice cream or sour cream

Although these items can make it more likely that you'll experience heartburn, you may not need to give them up completely by practicing moderation and limiting your portion sizes.

How to Prevent & Treat Heartburn

Beyond staying away from heartburn-causing foods, your primary care provider may suggest lifestyle changes, including losing weight and quitting smoking.

Additionally, you may be advised to develop strategies to reduce your stress, avoid eating close to bedtime or raise the head of your bed roughly half a foot if you're experiencing heartburn when trying to sleep.

The most common treatment for heartburn is antacids. These often come in chewable tablets and are most often primarily calcium carbonate which helps neutralize the acid in your stomach. However, if you take them often or more than directed, antacids can have adverse effects on your health including constipation, nausea and abdominal pain.

If lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medications don't work or if you experience heartburn regularly, your provider may prescribe you medications that work to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.