Heartburn treatments & symptoms

Does eating a spicy dinner mean you’ll be reaching for the antacids an hour later? You’re probably suffering from heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid backing up into the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus). It happens when the muscle that normally keeps the stomach acid down isn’t working properly. If heartburn occurs a few times a week or more, or if over-the-counter medicines don’t offer relief, you should see your doctor regarding other heartburn treatments.

If you have chest pain, call your doctor or a medical professional right away. Chest pain can be a sign of a serious medical condition.

Do you suffer from acid reflux?

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux, more commonly known as heartburn. Our acid reflux quiz helps evaluate your symptoms, identify your risk factors and give you an idea what to do next based on your results.

Take the acid reflux quiz

Diagnosis for heartburn

First, you’ll meet with your doctor for a physical exam. They’ll talk to you about your possible heartburn symptoms and medical history. They may order tests to check for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a hiatal hernia or other conditions. Some of those tests are:

• Endoscopy: A flexible tube equipped with a light and a tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted down the throat to see inside the esophagus and stomach. If needed, a tissue sample (biopsy) can be done during an endoscopy. These samples are examined in a lab to check for problems.
• pH monitoring: This test checks for stomach acid in the esophagus.
• Motility testing: This measures if the esophagus is working properly. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach.

Heartburn treatments

Heartburn treatments can be successfully accomplished with over-the-counter medications like:

• Antacids: These heartburn treatments will address symptoms but won’t fix any damage stomach acid has caused in the esophagus. Using these diarrhea treatments too often can cause diarrhea or constipation.
  
• H-2 receptor blockers: This heartburn medication reduces the amount of acid the body makes. They don’t act quickly, but these diarrhea treatments can help relieve symptoms for longer periods of time.
• Proton-pump inhibitors: These heartburn treatments block the acid the body makes which allows the esophagus to heal.

Dietary/lifestyle recommendations to serve as heartburn treatments:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid eating three to four hours before bedtime
• Elevate head six inches off bed with a pillow wedge
• Avoid fatty foods, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and peppermint
• Don't smoke