When and why does heartburn occur?

Heartburn is a common and painful condition that occurs when acid refluxes up into the esophagus. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to close properly after digesting food. Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat or mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a sour taste in the back of your mouth.

Heartburn can occur at any time but is most likely to happen after eating—especially fatty or spicy foods as these increase intra-abdominal pressure, forcing stomach contents to travel up into the esophagus more easily. Other common triggers include lying down soon after eating, drinking carbonated beverages and alcohol, overeating, smoking cigarettes and some medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen which weaken the LES muscle.

Fortunately there are many natural treatments for heartburn that you can use at home such as avoiding trigger foods/drinks mentioned earlier; using over-the-counter antacids; taking natural supplements such as DGL licorice for digestive support; sipping on herbal teas like chamomile; drinking water before meals to help with digestion; elevating your bed so gravity helps keep stomach contents where they should be; practicing deep breathing exercises or meditation during mealtimes to reduce stress levels; and finally seeing a health professional if symptoms persist long term.