Occasionally it can be felt deeply within the chest, almost within the back although sometimes the burning feeling can reach all the way up to the throat 2. Heartburn often seems worse after rich meals, citrus fruit juice, hot beverages or alcohol. What are the usual symptoms of Heartburn & Acid Reflux? Doctors believe that in such cases the lining of the oesophagus is unusually sensitive to reflux of acid. It is also quite common for people to develop symptoms because of reflux when there are no signs of oesophagitis. However, many people can suffer from heartburn when there is no apparent lifestyle or other factor. The hernia itself rarely causes any symptoms but it does seem to make reflux more likely.В For those people who have a large hiatus hernia, surgery may be required. Hiatus Hernia: A hiatus hernia is when part of the stomach slides upwards into the chest by pushing itself through a hole (called the hiatus) in the diaphragm muscle (sliding hiatus hernia).

The symptoms will often go once the baby is born but can continue afterwards. Pregnancy:В Many women can develop heartburn during the later stages of pregnancy as the growing baby pushes upwards on the stomach. Lifestyle Factors:В There are certain factors which appear to increase the risk of heartburn and reflux.В These include: If the inflammation is severe, ulcers can form. Sometimes the lining of the oesophagus can become inflamed (called oesophagitis). Whilst the stomach can resist acid, if it refluxes in sufficient quantities into the oesophagus, it will cause pain (heartburn). The stomach makes acid, which aids digestion by breaking down food and drink. Then whatever happens to be in your stomach travels in the wrong direction back up into the oesophagus. Acid reflux occurs when this one-way system fails. A muscular ring (lower oesophageal sphincter) which joins the oesophagus to the stomach should ensure that this flow is one way.

When food or drink is consumed, it passes from the mouth, down the oesophagus (gullet) into the stomach.

Acid relux