Heartburn is a burning or aching sensation felt behind the lower part of the breastbone when the gullet (oesophagus) goes into spasm or when acid from the stomach regurgitates up into it.

Causes

Heartburn is most common after meals, especially after excessive intake of fatty foods. Rapid eating often causes it. When caused by acid regurgitation, it tends to be worse when the individual is lying down. For the same reason, heartburn is common in pregnancy. It is can be associated with the regurgitation of bitter-tasting stomach contents into the mouth. Another common cause of heartburn is hiatus hernia, in which part of the stomach pushes upwards into the chest through the normal opening in the diaphragm.

Some people may worry whether the pain they are experiencing in the middle of the chest is due to heartburn or to heart disease. Heart pain does sometimes resemble heartburn, but you can usually tell the difference. Pain from angina has a constant, fixed relationship to exertion. Belching will relieve both sorts of pain, but only very briefly in the case of heart disease.

Treatment

Heartburn is best treated by avoiding over-eating, eating too much rich or spicy food or indulging in too much alcohol. Any associated stomach or duodenal (peptic) ulceration should have proper medical attention.

Antacids or indigestion lozenges may help for a short time.