Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening, it’s called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
It can affect 1 in 5 people at some point. It is most common in adults aged 40 and over and occurs more in men than in women however it can affect people of all ages, including children.
Acid reflux is most commonly caused by weakening of the lower sphincter muscles of the gullet.
Heartburn – a burning pain or discomfort below the breastbone, usually worse after meals,or when bending down, or when lying down
An unpleasant taste in the mouth, caused by reflux of acid from the stomach
Pain and difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
Lots of people get heartburn from time to time. There's often no obvious reason why.
Sometimes it's caused or made worse by:
Most people respond well to treatment with medication and some people may require a long-term course of medication to control the symptoms of acid reflux.
Prescription medication such as:
Omeprazole Esomeprazol Losec Nexium
they reduce how much acid your stomach makes
In addition simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce heartburn.