Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and nonprescription medications. Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.
Frequent/constant heartburn symptoms or heartburn everyday
If you have frequent or constant heartburn (more than twice a week or heartburn everyday), you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The most common cause is food that's acidic or high in fat—like citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and peppermint. Spicy foods or large meals can also be the root of distress. Other sources of heartburn include aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as some sedatives and blood pressure medications.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, roughly 60% of the population experiences acid reflux every year.
If you are an adult with GERD, it will not go away on its own, but there are treatments that can help you manage it, including: Over-the-counter medications, such as antacids. Prescription medications, such as proton pump inhibitors. Surgery, including a laparoscopic procedure called the LINX procedure.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe.
However, antacids such as TUMS are one of the fastest ways to treat occasional heartburn caused by acid reflux. Known as America's number-one antacid, TUMS provides fast relief from heartburn, sour stomach, and acid indigestion.
Stomach acid is essential for digestion, but sometimes acid-producing cells in your digestive system pump out too much acid. Symptoms of high stomach acid can include belly pain, bloating, and heartburn.
Stress is another factor that causes an excessive production of stomach acid which can bring on acid reflux disease. Some food and drinks can cause the esophagus muscle to relax.
If you have any of the following heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (also called acid reflux or GERD) symptoms or conditions, contact your doctor. Your heartburn symptoms have become more severe or frequent. You are having difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing, especially with solid foods or pills.
The feeling of acid reflux is heartburn: a mild burning sensation in the mid-chest, often occurring after meals or when lying down. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of acid reflux. In GERD, the backflow of stomach acid occurs chronically and causes damage to the body over time.
Don't take antacids frequently. If you experience symptoms of heartburn or indigestion daily, reach out to your healthcare provider to look into the cause of your symptoms.
Antacids provide fast heartburn relief. They start to work in seconds* to neutralize stomach acid, making your stomach contents less acidic and reducing the chances that acidic liquid will leak into your esophagus (the muscular tube that connects your mouth and stomach).
You can try sipping tea or taking a peppermint pill, but if this remedy instead increases your acid reflux, consider trying ginger. Ginger is calming and reduces inflammation in the stomach. Both peppermint and ginger can help with diarrhea, bloating and gas, too.
Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
Additionally, saltine crackers prevent acid from being released in the stomach. Heavier foods tend to cause more acid production. Saltine crackers are odorless, which helps to ward off nausea, while at the same time, they contain salt, which can replenish your electrolytes.
Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.