Causes of Heartburn, common symptoms, how to manage?

Last Updated on 02/26/2026 by Helal Medical

Heartburn is a common problem. It arises from a condition called Acid Reflux, where stomach acidic contents are pushed back into the esophagus.  Acid Reflux results in a burning pain in the lower chest, with variable duration from case to case. There are many causes of heartburn, That I will discuss here.

Persistent acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it can cause a burning sensation and pain. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This discomfort is often felt in the lower chest. The burning and pain ranges from mild to severe.

Fast facts about heartburn

– Eating unhealthy foods is one of the most heartburn causes, that also includes obesity, and lack of exercise. That to say, it is common among those who ignore a healthy lifestyle.
– Patients present with symptoms,  the most common is a burning sensation (heartburn) in the throat or chest.
– In many cases, heartburn does not affect overall health.
– Different lines of treatment are available in drug stores and hospitals. These include PPI (proton pump inhibitors). PPIs are considered one of the most effective medicines for treating heartburn.

How common heartburn is?

According to estimates by the American College of Gastroenterology, at least 15 million Americans suffer from heartburn every day. Americans are not the only ones affected by this condition. It is common all over the world.

The disease affects people of different ages, and from different nationalities. The cause is often linked to a person’s lifestyle, such as smoking, low level of physical activity and overweight (obesity).

Causes of Heartburn

Occasional heartburn is normal, rarely it is due to an illness that requires attention. In such cases, the person suffers heartburn infrequently, gets better on his own, or by taking non-prescription antacid medications. While recurrent acid reflux, indicates the presence of GERD disease. Patients suffer repeated heartburn, daily or 2-3 times a week. GERD occurs because of a defect in the valve between the stomach and the esophagus (LES). This defect may lead to serious health complications. There are two physiological reasons that can cause heartburn. One reason is the increased gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid. Another reason is a problem or weakness in the valve between the stomach and esophagus (LES).

Symptoms of heartburn 

Symptoms include a burning sensation in the middle of the chest, and sometimes in the chest and throat. There are other symptoms, including the following:
Pain that escalates reaching the jaw. Also, the person may suffer from stomach pain in the form of cramping or cramping.

Treating heartburn

The main treatment for heartburn is to reduce stomach acid production, mainly by avoiding causes of Heartburn. There are several treatment lines to consider. Lifestyle changes can be very effective. These include eating a healthy diet with limited fat and smaller meals. Avoid eating before lying down or sleeping and sit up straight while eating. Also, avoid heavy lifting and straining. Watch for triggers that increase acidity. Avoid triggers like alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, soft drinks, and acidic foods such as lemon or orange juice.

Treatment using drugs:

Heartburn can be reduced by using drugs such as: Antacids, Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and Histamine-2 blockers

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