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Heartburn, Acid Reflux and Gastritis: Causes and Relief
A burning feeling in the chest after meals? Learn what causes acid reflux and gastritis, lifestyle changes that help, and the warning signs that need investigation.
Quick answer
Heartburn is a burning feeling behind the breastbone caused by stomach acid rising into the food pipe. Smaller meals, not eating within three hours of bedtime, losing excess weight, stopping smoking and cutting back on spicy, fatty food, caffeine and fizzy drinks often help, along with antacids. See a doctor if symptoms happen most days, or if you have difficulty swallowing, vomiting, weight loss or black stools.
In this article
Heartburn and indigestion are very common, especially after large, late or rich meals.
Symptoms
- Burning feeling in the chest after eating
- Sour taste or acid coming up into the mouth
- Bloating, burping or feeling full quickly
- Upper tummy pain or discomfort
- Cough or hoarse voice, sometimes worse at night
Common causes
- Large or late meals
- Spicy, fatty or fried food, chocolate, coffee, fizzy drinks
- Smoking and shisha
- Excess weight, especially around the waist
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Some medicines, including anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen
- H. pylori, a common stomach infection that can cause gastritis and ulcers
Lifestyle changes that help
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Finish eating at least three hours before lying down.
- Raise the head of your bed slightly if symptoms are worse at night.
- Lose excess weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Notice and reduce your personal trigger foods.
Treatment
Antacids can relieve occasional symptoms. If symptoms are frequent, your GP may recommend medicines that reduce acid production, and may test for H. pylori, which is treated with a combination of antibiotics and acid-reducing medicine.
Warning signs: see a doctor promptly
- Difficulty or pain swallowing
- Repeated vomiting, or vomiting blood
- Black, tarry stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent symptoms if you are over 55
Chest pain can also be a heart problem. Call 998 if chest pain spreads to the arm, neck or jaw, or comes with breathlessness or sweating. See our guide to heart attack warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to take antacids every day?
Occasional use is fine. If you need them most days, see a GP to find the cause.
What is the difference between reflux and gastritis?
Reflux is acid rising into the food pipe. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. They can cause similar symptoms.
