When chronic heartburn, a persistent burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Also known as GERD, it's not just "bad indigestion"—it's a signal that your digestive system is out of balance. If you're dealing with heartburn more than twice a week, it's not normal. Your body is telling you something’s wrong, and ignoring it can lead to serious complications like esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, or even an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Chronic heartburn doesn’t happen out of nowhere. It’s often tied to GERD, a condition where the lower esophageal sphincter weakens and lets acid escape. That valve between your stomach and esophagus is supposed to stay shut after food passes through—but when it relaxes too often or doesn’t close tightly, acid rises. Common triggers include spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, large meals, lying down after eating, and even tight clothing. But it’s not just about what you eat. Being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, and certain medications like NSAIDs or calcium channel blockers can all make it worse.
Many people reach for antacids or proton pump inhibitors, medications that reduce stomach acid production without thinking about the root cause. These drugs can help in the short term, but they don’t fix the problem—and long-term use comes with risks like nutrient deficiencies, bone loss, and increased infection risk. The real solution? Address the lifestyle and physiological factors behind the reflux. Small changes—eating smaller meals, waiting three hours before lying down, elevating the head of your bed, losing even 10 pounds—can make a huge difference. Some people find relief by cutting out trigger foods like citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, or fried items. Others need to reassess their meds with their doctor.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of treatments. It’s a collection of real, practical insights from people who’ve been there. You’ll see how medication timing affects symptoms, how diet choices interact with reflux, how other health conditions like diabetes or hiatal hernias play a role, and why some "natural" remedies backfire. There’s no magic pill, but there are proven steps you can take—starting today—to reduce discomfort and protect your long-term health.
Chronic GERD can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition that increases esophageal cancer risk. Learn who should be screened, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatments can prevent cancer.
