Get Answers
What heartburn and indigestion feel like
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, often felt after eating or when lying down. It can also cause an acidic taste in the mouth.
Indigestion is a wider term for discomfort in the upper tummy. You might feel bloated, uncomfortably full, sick, or have pain after meals.
Things you can try at home
Try eating smaller meals more often, rather than large meals. Eat slowly and avoid rushing your food.
It can help to sit upright after eating and avoid lying down for at least two to three hours. If heartburn is worse at night, raise the head of your bed a little.
Some foods and drinks can make symptoms worse, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. Keeping a note of your triggers may help you spot patterns.
Medicines that may help
Antacids can help relieve symptoms quickly by neutralising stomach acid. They are available from pharmacies and supermarkets.
Other medicines, such as alginates or acid-reducing tablets, may also help. Ask a pharmacist which option is suitable for you, especially if you are pregnant, taking other medicines, or have long-term health conditions.
Always read the label and follow the directions carefully. If symptoms keep coming back, do not keep taking medicines for long periods without medical advice.
When to speak to a pharmacist or GP
Speak to a pharmacist if you are not sure what is causing your symptoms or want advice about treatment. They can suggest the best over-the-counter option for you.
See a GP if your heartburn or indigestion is frequent, severe, or lasts for more than a few weeks. You should also get help if your symptoms are getting worse.
A GP may check for causes such as acid reflux, a stomach ulcer, or a side effect of medicine. They can arrange tests or prescribe stronger treatment if needed.
Get urgent help if you have warning signs
Call 999 or seek urgent medical help if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, or pain spreading to your arm, back, neck, or jaw. These can be signs of a heart problem, not just indigestion.
Get urgent advice if you are vomiting blood, have black stools, struggle to swallow, or have unexplained weight loss. You should also seek help if you feel very unwell or the pain is sudden and severe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Heartburn or indigestion what to do usually refers to burning, discomfort, or fullness in the upper stomach or chest after eating. Common signs include sour taste, bloating, burping, nausea, or a burning feeling behind the breastbone.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do after a meal, try sitting upright, avoid lying down for at least 2 to 3 hours, and take a gentle walk. Smaller movements can help digestion and reduce reflux.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, common trigger foods to avoid include spicy foods, fried or fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, onions, citrus, tomato-based foods, and caffeine. Triggers vary from person to person.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, bland, low-fat foods often work best, such as oatmeal, bananas, rice, toast, applesauce, and lean proteins. Eating smaller portions can also help.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, antacids can help neutralize stomach acid, while acid reducers such as famotidine or omeprazole may help if symptoms are frequent. Follow package directions and ask a clinician if you are unsure which option is appropriate.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, seek medical help if symptoms are severe, happen often, last more than a couple of weeks, or do not improve with self-care. Get urgent care if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, vomiting blood, black stools, or sudden severe pain.
Yes, stress can make heartburn or indigestion what to do feel worse by increasing stomach sensitivity and affecting eating habits. Relaxation techniques, regular sleep, and slower meals may help reduce symptoms.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do at night, avoid eating close to bedtime, raise the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches, and sleep on your left side if possible. These steps can reduce acid reflux while lying down.
Yes, but for heartburn or indigestion what to do, choose light activity such as walking and avoid intense exercise right after eating. Wait at least 1 to 2 hours after a meal before vigorous workouts.
Sometimes. For heartburn or indigestion what to do, persistent symptoms can be caused by acid reflux, ulcers, gallbladder issues, medication side effects, or, less commonly, heart problems. A doctor can help determine the cause.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, safe home steps include eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, staying upright after eating, sipping water, and wearing loose clothing. Some people also find ginger helpful, though it does not work for everyone.
Yes, drinking small amounts of water can sometimes help heartburn or indigestion what to do by washing acid down and easing digestion. Avoid drinking large amounts quickly, which may worsen bloating in some people.
Do not stop prescription medicines without medical advice. For heartburn or indigestion what to do, some medicines can irritate the stomach or cause reflux, so ask a pharmacist or doctor whether any of your medicines could be contributing.
Yes, heartburn or indigestion what to do is common in pregnancy because hormones and the growing uterus can push stomach acid upward. Small meals, avoiding trigger foods, and staying upright after eating may help; check with a clinician before using medicines.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do long term, maintain a healthy weight, eat smaller meals, avoid late-night eating, limit alcohol and smoking, and identify personal trigger foods. Consistent habits often reduce symptoms.
Yes. For heartburn or indigestion what to do, alcohol and smoking can both irritate the digestive tract and relax the muscle that keeps stomach acid out of the esophagus. Cutting back or quitting often helps.
If heartburn or indigestion what to do feels like chest pain, do not assume it is harmless. If the pain is new, severe, spreading to the arm or jaw, or comes with sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea, call emergency services right away.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, symptoms from a minor trigger may last minutes to a few hours. If discomfort happens frequently or keeps returning, you should discuss it with a healthcare professional.
Yes. For heartburn or indigestion what to do, prevention often includes eating slowly, avoiding trigger foods, not overeating, staying upright after meals, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking medicines only as directed.
For heartburn or indigestion what to do, it is an emergency if you have severe chest or upper belly pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, fainting, trouble breathing, or symptoms that could be a heart attack. Seek immediate medical care.
Ergsy Search Results
This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Always seek guidance from qualified professionals.
If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.
Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.
- Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings.
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.