What causes heartburn?

That scourge of modern-day living - heartburn!

What causes it? Most heartburn is actually caused by too little acid in the stomach, not too much.
Heartburn happens when foods mix with stomach acid to form a liquid that rises into the oesophagus, causing chest pain or a burning sensation in the stomach.

You might want to consider simply changing your eating habits - don't just reach for the antacids!
Antacids effectively "block" stomach acid, but at the same time, they block the absorption of nutrients and can hinder proper digestion, possibly making indigestion worse

Many foods have a reputation for causing heartburn - onions, garlic, hot and spicy foods, fatty, fried and highly acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus.
Chocolate and coffee are also common culprits.

The way you eat is often just as important as what you eat.
People who eat especially quickly, who have a lie-down after a big meal or who simply overeat, are often more susceptible to heartburn.

Eating too much or too fast, without chewing well, requires the stomach to produce more acid to break down food, creating future problems.

As soon as you feel heartburn coming on, one of the first things you should do is drink water.