🔥 Acidity (Acid Reflux & Heartburn)
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
| In brief | A burning sensation behind the breastbone and a sour taste when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. |
|---|---|
| Category | Digestive |
🔍 What causes it
Acidity happens when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, the tube carrying food to the stomach — often because the valve at its base relaxes too easily. Spicy, oily and fatty foods, large meals, lying down after eating, excess weight, stress and some medicines all make it worse. It is very common and affects more women than men.
⚠️ Key symptoms
- Burning pain in the chest, just below the breastbone
- Sour or bitter taste rising into the mouth
- Regurgitation of food or liquid
- Bloating, burping and nausea after meals
- Worse when bending over or lying down
💊 Treatment
Most cases settle with antacids or acid-reducing medicines from a doctor or pharmacist. Eat smaller meals, go easy on spicy and oily food, avoid lying down for two to three hours after eating, and raise the head of the bed if night-time reflux bothers you. Losing excess weight helps a lot. See a doctor if symptoms are frequent, severe or lasting despite these steps; persistent reflux can damage the food pipe over time.
🛡️ Prevention
Eat slowly, keep portions moderate, and limit spicy, oily and acidic foods if they trigger you. Stay upright after meals, avoid late-night eating, keep a healthy weight, and manage stress. Quitting smoking and cutting alcohol also protect the food pipe.
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