Heartburn Also called: Acid indigestion, Pyrosis Summary Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in your chest or throat. It happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. If you have heartburn more than twice a week, you may have GERD. But you can have GERD without having heartburn. Pregnancy, certain foods, alcohol, and some medications can bring on heartburn. Treating heartburn is important because over time reflux can damage the esophagus. Over-the-counter medicines may help. If the heartburn continues, you may need prescription medicines or surgery. If you have other symptoms such as crushing chest pain, it could be a heart attack. Get help immediately. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Start Here Acid Reflux American College of Gastroenterology Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Heartburn Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Heartburn American Academy of Family Physicians Find an Expert American College of Gastroenterology American College of Gastroenterology National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatments and Therapies Antacids and Acid Reducers: OTC Relief for Heartburn and Acid Reflux American Academy of Family Physicians Do you Suffer from Heartburn or Acid Reflux? Array Encyclopedia Bernstein test Heartburn – what to ask your doctor Array Bland diet Heartburn Heartburn Taking antacids Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Gastroesophageal Reflux National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Heartburn National Institutes of Health Related Issues Globus International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Children Have You Heard of GERD? Nemours Foundation Health Check Tools Heartburn DSHI Systems Women Heartburn and Indigestion March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Diagnosis and Tests Heartburn or Chest Pain: When Is It Heart Attack? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Upper GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Heartburn Latest News Clues to How Popular Heartburn Drug Might Harm Arteries HealthDay Common Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Disease in Study HealthDay Could a Low-Risk Surgery Help Your Chronic Heartburn? HealthDay