The Causes of Heartburn and Why You Should Take It Seriously Have you ever experienced feeling a burning sensation that starts in your upper abdomen and builds up just behind your breastbone and that the pain and burning sensation is often accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth? If you have, then you are suffering from a condition called heartburn. You should also avoid going to bed on a full stomach. You need to allow your stomach at least 3 hours before you turn in. As much as possible, you have to avoid lying down after eating dinner. You should also avoid drinking alcohol late at night as this increases alcohol production in your stomach and it also relaxes your LES or lower esophageal sphincter. It s also allowed to take antacids if you feel the symptoms of heartburn. Just remember that you shouldn t take more than what is recommended. Lastly, always tell your doctor about your antacid use. These are the available medicines for heartburn. Antacids are very effective in helping ease the symptoms of heartburn but you should always keep in mind that you have to see the doctor when you experience heartburn at least 3 times a week for 2 weeks. When the LES doesn t function properly, it will let stomach acid flow freely in to the esophagus when you experience acid reflux. Secondly, you have to drink more water. Stop drinking coffee and avoid drinking carbonated drinks, such as sodas. Water is very effective in neutralizing stomach acid, which will eventually result in lessening the frequency of heartburn. Effective Ways to Prevent Heartburn during Pregnancy Heartburn is one of the oldest and also one of the most common conditions that affects millions of people every single day. Despite its name, heartburn is in no way related to the heart. In fact, this is a digestive condition where stomach acid comes in to contact with the esophagus causing irritation. When it is relaxed or is weakened, stomach acid can get through the sphincter and eventually irritate it and cause heartburn. So, just what causes the sphincter to weaken or relax? There are certain foods that can weaken the sphincter. Foods such as chocolates, coffee, alcohol, peppermint, fried and fatty food, as well as soda and citric fruits like oranges and pineapple.