It has nothing to do with your heart, so why call it heartburn? Probably because it's easier than saying "esophageal burn." Heartburn happens when acid escapes from your stomach up into your esophagus. Your lower esophageal sphincter is supposed to prevent that. But sometimes it relaxes or doesn't close properly and the acid escapes. Unlike the stomach, the esophagus isn't meant to house acid, so that's when you feel the burn.
Look around you: almost everyone you see has occasional heartburn. What triggers heartburn varies from person to person, but some of the common culprits can include diet, smoking, and being overweight.
Food is the most common heartburn trigger, but why? Your stomach may react to some foods by increasing acid production, slowing down digestion, or inhibiting the esophageal sphincter's ability to prevent stomach contents from leaking back into the esophagus. Tomatoes, fatty foods, and coffee are among the usual suspects.
See if any of these triggers surprise you.
Although there is a list of common triggers, everyone is slightly different. Two friends could eat the same tomato sauce but only one might get heartburn. The best thing to do is to be aware of your own triggers and make smart choices.
When you've got heartburn, there are 3 types of relief available over the counter. Some are only fast. Some are only long-lasting. But PEPCID® is both, so you don't have to compromise.
These work fast to ease heartburn, but they won't last very long.
This type of relief will lower the amount of acid your stomach produces, giving you lasting relief that goes to work quickly.*
These shut down pumps that release acid into your stomach, but PPIs aren't
indicated for immediate relief. They may take 1-4 days to become fully effective and
require a 14-day regimen to maintain relief.
*PEPCID
COMPLETE starts to neutralize acid in seconds. PEPCID AC starts to relieve heartburn in 15 to 30 minutes.
YOGA FOR HEARTBURN?
Explore yoga and other ideas for supporting your wellness and reducing heartburn.
IS YOUR HEARTBURN A NIGHTMARE?
Find ways to reduce your heartburn at night and get the rest you need.
