Chronic Heartburn: Causes, Triggers, and What Actually Helps

When you have chronic heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest that happens often, usually after eating or when lying down. Also known as acid reflux, it's not just an occasional annoyance—it's a signal your body can't keep stomach acid where it belongs. If this happens more than twice a week, it's likely GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Unlike normal heartburn, GERD doesn’t go away with a single antacid. It keeps coming back, and over time, it can damage your esophagus, make swallowing hard, or even raise your risk of serious complications.

What makes chronic heartburn stick around? It’s rarely just one thing. proton pump inhibitors, medications that reduce stomach acid production are often prescribed, but they don’t fix the root cause. Many people keep having symptoms because they’re still eating late at night, drinking coffee or alcohol, wearing tight clothes, or lying down right after meals. Weight gain, pregnancy, and even certain medications—like some blood pressure pills or anti-inflammatories—can make it worse. And here’s the thing: stress doesn’t cause acid reflux, but it makes your body more sensitive to it. You might not realize how much your daily habits are feeding the problem.

Some people think heartburn is just part of aging or being overweight. But that’s not true. You can have chronic heartburn and still be fit. You can be young and still struggle with it. The key isn’t just popping pills—it’s understanding what’s triggering your symptoms and changing what you can control. That’s why the posts below cover real strategies: how to manage it without relying only on meds, what foods actually help or hurt, and how to tell if what you’re feeling is heartburn or something else entirely. You’ll find practical advice on lifestyle shifts, medication safety, and how stress and other health conditions tie into your symptoms. No fluff. Just what works.