Heartburn making your life hell? Here’s how to ease the symptoms

Whether it’s just mildly uncomfortable or incredibly painful, acid reflux is no fun. 

According to statistics, this condition is extremely common, with 25% of people suffering from it regularly. “It happens when the muscle at the entrance to the stomach relaxes, causing stomach acid to move upwards in the wrong direction, burning the oesophagus,” says Dr Stuart Sanders, a GP at The London General Practice in the UK.

Heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux, usually feels like a burning sensation behind the breastbone and moves up to the neck and throat.