--- title: "Heartburn and acid reflux: Symptoms & Treatment" description: "A plain-English guide to heartburn and acid reflux — causes, treatments and when to see a GP." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/ robots: noindex --- # Heartburn and acid reflux: Symptoms & Treatment Health A–Z A plain-English guide to heartburn and acid reflux — causes, treatments and when to see a GP. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What are heartburn and acid reflux? Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest, caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). It is common and often linked to certain foods, eating habits or being overweight. Lifestyle changes and pharmacy remedies usually help, but persistent symptoms should be checked by a GP. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Heartburn and acid reflux, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 5 sections ## Key facts about heartburn and acid reflux - Heartburn is a burning chest feeling caused by stomach acid rising up. - It is often triggered by certain foods, large meals, alcohol or lying down soon after eating. - Pharmacy antacids and simple lifestyle changes often ease it. - Heartburn lasting more than 3 weeks should be checked by a GP. ## What are heartburn and acid reflux? Acid reflux happens when acid from the stomach travels back up towards the throat. This often causes heartburn — a burning feeling in the middle of the chest, sometimes with an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth. It is very common and usually nothing serious, though it can be uncomfortable. ## Symptoms As well as the burning chest feeling, you might notice: - an unpleasant, sour taste in the mouth - a cough or hiccups that keep coming back - a hoarse voice - bad breath - bloating and feeling sick Symptoms are often worse after eating, when lying down, or when bending over. ## What causes it Reflux happens when the valve at the top of the stomach does not close fully, letting acid escape upwards. This can be made more likely by certain foods and drinks, large meals, eating late, being overweight, smoking, stress and anxiety, or pregnancy. Some medicines can also contribute. ## Treatment and self-help Many people improve with simple changes: eat smaller meals, avoid eating within three to four hours of bed, cut down on known triggers, lose weight if you are carrying extra, raise the head of your bed slightly, and stop smoking. A pharmacist can recommend antacids or other medicines that reduce or neutralise stomach acid. ## When to get it checked Heartburn that keeps coming back or lasts three weeks or more should be reviewed by a GP, who can prescribe stronger treatment or arrange tests if needed. Always treat sudden, severe chest pain as an emergency. ## ! When to see a GP about heartburn and acid reflux See a GP if you get heartburn most days for 3 weeks or more, if medicines from the pharmacy are not helping, or if you have difficulty or pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or are being sick. Call **999** if you have chest pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw, or chest pain with sweating or breathlessness — this could be a heart problem. ## Common questions about heartburn and acid reflux What is the difference between heartburn and acid reflux? Acid reflux is when stomach acid travels back up towards the throat. Heartburn is the burning chest sensation that this often causes. When reflux happens regularly, it may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). What foods make heartburn worse? Common triggers include fatty or spicy foods, coffee, alcohol, chocolate and large meals. Triggers vary between people, so it can help to notice which foods affect you and cut back on those. How can I relieve heartburn at home? Eating smaller meals, not eating within a few hours of bedtime, raising the head of your bed, cutting down on triggers, and losing weight if needed can all help. A pharmacist can also recommend antacids or other medicines. When should I worry about heartburn? Persistent heartburn lasting 3 weeks or more, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss or vomiting should be checked by a GP. Sudden severe chest pain needs emergency help, as it can be a sign of a heart problem. ## Sources - [NHS — Heartburn and acid reflux](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heartburn-and-acid-reflux/)