• Online Scheduling | Careers

Physicians Regional Healthcare System
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
        • Cancer Care
        • Colorectal Care
        • Critical Care Medicine
        • Dermatology Services
        • Digestive Health
        • Emergency Services
        • Endocrinology
        • Gastroenterology
        • Heart Care
        • Infectious Disease Care
        • Inpatient Rehab Facility
        • Kidney Disorders
        • Laboratory Services
        • Neurology
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pain Management
        • Primary Care
        • Pulmonology Care
        • Radiology
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Rheumatology
        • Stroke Care
        • Surgical Services
        • Urgent Care
        • Urology
        • Vein Care Center
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • DAISY Award Nominations
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Health Library
              • Local Accommodations
              • Online Scheduling
              • Outpatient Instructions
              • Patient Portal
              • Payment, Billing & Assistance Policies
              • Physician Referral
              • Request Medical Records
              • Your Stay
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Laboratories
                  • Outpatient Rehabilitation
                  • Physicians Regional Medical Group
                  • Urgent Care
                  • Other Locations
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Careers
                    • CEO's Message
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • History
                    • Leadership
                    • Newsroom
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • Collier: (239) 354-6000
                      • North: (239) 260-6631
                      • Pine Ridge: (239) 348-4000
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Bill Pay
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait Times

                        View ER Wait Times
                      Home/Patients & Visitors/Health Library/Don't Feel the Burn

                      Refine Results

                      About Us
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Orthopedic Center
                      Otolaryngology
                      Patients & Visitors
                      DAISY Award Nominations
                      Events
                      Financial Information
                      Billing & Insurance
                      Billing & Registration FAQ
                      Eligibility Services
                      Medicare
                      Online Bill Pay
                      Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing
                      Payment, Billing & Assistance Policies
                      Price Information
                      Price Transparency Information
                      Your Right to a Good Faith Estimate
                      Health Library
                      Local Accommodations
                      Online Scheduling
                      Outpatient Instructions
                      Patient Portal
                      Patient Portal FAQ
                      Payment, Billing & Assistance Policies
                      Physician Referral
                      Request Medical Records
                      Your Stay
                      Services
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Avg ER Wait Times

                        View ER Wait Times
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • Physicians Regional Acquires Advanced Robotic Surgery System

                        04.09.2025

                      • Physicians Regional Heart Center Has Unveiled a New, Hybrid Operating Room

                        02.04.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      Don't Feel the Burn

                      The reason it's called heartburn is obvious—it feels like a flame is crackling at the base of your breastbone. You might even feel an acidic, sour taste at the back of your throat. Heartburn can go on for minutes or hours, but why does it happen?

                      The ailment is a symptom of acid reflux, or stomach acid traveling back up your esophagus. People with conditions such as pregnancy, hiatal hernia, obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or who take anti-inflammatory drugs are at higher risk for heartburn. However, the Centers for Disease and Prevention says food also can trigger heartburn, including alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus, fatty or fried foods, onions, spicy foods and tomato (or tomato products like ketchup).

                      The Food and Drug Administration classifies three medication types as a treatment for heartburn — antacids (like Tums), histamine-2 (H2) blockers (like Pepcid) and proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec). These medications can neutralize stomach acid, reduce acid production or shut down pumps that release acid into your stomach. Though you can take these medications for heartburn, other ways to avoid that nighttime burn are to:

                      • Drink more water. Water not only aids digestion, but a 2019 study found that water with electrolytes can help neutralize stomach acid.
                      • Eat earlier. You're less likely to have a flare-up if you don't lie down at least three to four hours after eating. It also helps to eat smaller portions and eat slower.
                      • Sleep on your left side. Studies show that position reduces the chances of reflux and exposing the esophagus to stomach acid.
                      • Wear looser clothes. The Mayo Clinic reports belts and tight clothing can sometimes trigger heartburn.

                      To diagnose the cause of your heartburn, your healthcare team might want to test to see if your ailment is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is moderate to severe and occurs several times per week. Testing for GERD might include an X-ray, endoscopy or acid probe tests. However, your doctor might recommend surgery if medication cannot control your GERD.

                      Find a Doctor

                      If your symptoms worsen despite using over-the-counter medications or you have difficulty swallowing, it may be time to see a doctor. Untreated reflux can cause tooth decay, esophageal damage (like ulcers) and raise esophageal cancer risk.

                      Find a Doctor

                      Want More Health Tips?

                      Sign up for our e-newsletter, Live Healthy, to receive a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                      Back

                      Affiliated Hospitals

                      • Physicians Regional Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
                      • Physicians Regional Medical Center - Collier Boulevard
                      • Physicians Regional Medical Center - North
                      • Physicians Regional Medical Center - Pine Ridge
                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
                      • Cancer Care
                      • Colorectal Care
                      • Critical Care Medicine
                      • Dermatology Services
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Endocrinology
                      • Gastroenterology
                      • Heart Care
                      • Infectious Disease Care
                      • Inpatient Rehab Facility
                      • Kidney Disorders
                      • Laboratory Services
                      • Neurology
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pain Management
                      • Primary Care
                      • Pulmonology Care
                      • Radiology
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Rheumatology
                      • Stroke Care
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Urgent Care
                      • Urology
                      • Vein Care Center
                      • Women's Health
                      • Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • DAISY Award Nominations
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Health Library
                      • Local Accommodations
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Outpatient Instructions
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Payment, Billing & Assistance Policies
                      • Physician Referral
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Your Stay

                      About Us

                      • Careers
                      • CEO's Message
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • History
                      • Leadership
                      • Newsroom
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...