All food we eat passes through the gullet and into the stomach through a pipe and lodged in the stomach. So the basic cause of heartburn is that the food particles and the acid from the stomach leak back into the gullet or the esophagus. This condition also leads to severe pain in the stomach and chest. Most people have stomach acid reflux at some time in their lives, either as heartburn or acid regurgitation.

Americans and other westerners suffer from heartburn symptoms more often than people from asian and eastern countries. The other symptoms include burping and a feeling of bloating. If these symptoms occur more than two days a week for several months, a person may have Acid Reflux Disease, otherwise known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Most of us experience heartburn occasionally but if it persists then a visit to the doctor may be necessary.

Your diet and lifestyle have been pinpointed as some factors which may cause heartburn and acid reflux. Most people believe that particular food or drinks could cause heartburn and they are right, excess acid is the main cause of heartburn.

In some rare cases, though, the damage can be enough to cause cancerous cells to develop in this area. If you know what the cause of your heartburn is, you cab stop it from hurting and destroying your quality of life. Chronic heartburn is also dangerous on its own since the frequent contact with the acidic stomach contents will harm the lining of the esophagus and cause inflammation.

Late meals can also cause heartburn by stimulating the stomach's production of digestive fluids. When you go to bed and do not have an upright position the acid come up more easily.

There are several remedies, also natural one's that really works. Herbal remedies typically contain fennel, ginger or mint oil, alone or in combination. Depending on the heartburn causes, the remedies should differ. There are many natural remedies that you can add to your pantry for use when the symptoms flare up. Home remedies and over the counter products and prescription drugs are available to relieve heartburn.

If your condition is severe your doctor will probably inform you that you would most likely need medications indefinitely. To find out what works you will often have to try several remedies. Regretfully, one single doctor visit may not take care of the problem, but don't give up.

A holistic treatment for heartburn includes treatment plans and hollistic cures for heartburn may be more time consuming than taking a little pill. On the other hand this treatment can be more effective in the long run and the holistic treatment has no side effects.

Most treatment plans or recommended ways to reduce heartburn include lifestyle changes along with dietary changes. But as always, the leading causes of heartburn vary and the best treatment for heartburn varies depending on the individual. Most common is an antacid that can be purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy.

Keep in mind that stress, smoking, alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated beverages may all lead to heartburn. Lifestyle changes like not lying down immediately after a meal and not lying down in a flat position can be a great relief. Also remember to avoid spicy foods, drinking beverages with caffeine, taking alcohol and smoking. Exercising regularly and reducing weight can also help control heartburn to a large extent.