• Weak stomach valve (lower esophageal sphincter) that lets acid escape
• Eating large meals or overeating
• Lying down or bending over soon after eating
• Being overweight or obese
• Certain foods and drinks, like fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, tomatoes, and fizzy drinks
• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Hiatal hernia (part of the stomach pushes up into the chest)
• Some medications, such as painkillers or certain blood pressure medicines

• Heartburn – a burning sensation in the chest, often after eating
• Sour or acidic taste in the throat or mouth
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Regurgitation – food or liquid coming back up into the throat or mouth
• Difficulty swallowing (feeling food is stuck)
• Coughing, hoarseness, or sore throat
• Bloating or feeling full after meals
• Nausea

How Acid Reflux Can Be Managed

In most cases, symptoms can be improved by making positive lifestyle changes, including:

• Eating smaller, lighter meals
• Avoiding late-night eating
• Reducing sugary or carbonated drinks
• Losing excess weight where appropriate
• Stopping smoking
• Avoiding known trigger foods

 If lifestyle changes alone are not effective, a range of over-the-counter and prescription treatments are available.

Available Acid Reflux Treatments

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Omeprazole and Lansoprazole reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. They work by blocking the proton pump system within the stomach lining, helping to relieve symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion and allowing irritated tissue to heal.

These treatments are commonly used for short-term and long-term management of acid reflux and GERD.

Antacids (such as Rennie)

These work by neutralising stomach acid. When used too often, antacids can sometimes cause side effects such as diarrhoea or constipation. Products that contain both magnesium hydroxide and aluminium hydroxide can help balance these effects.

Raft-forming preparations (such as Gaviscon)

Raft-forming preparations create a protective layer on top of stomach contents. This helps prevent acid from travelling up into the oesophagus and can soothe irritated tissues.

Other treatment options include: 

• H2 blockers – reduce acid production in the stomach
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – lower the volume of acid the stomach makes
• Foaming (raft-forming) agents – help prevent acid reflux by coating stomach contents
• Prokinetics – help the stomach empty more quickly, reducing the chance of reflux

It’s important not to combine different antacid products or prescription medicines without guidance from a healthcare professional, as this can increase the risk of side effects or reduce how well treatments work.

For most people, a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate medication is enough to control symptoms and reduce the impact of acid reflux on daily life. If symptoms are ongoing or severe, speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice.

Acid reflux—often called heartburn or GERD—happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe (oesophagus), which connects your mouth to your stomach.

At the top of the stomach is a small ring of muscle called a valve (the lower oesophageal sphincter). Its job is to open to let food in and then close to keep stomach acid where it belongs. When this valve doesn’t close properly, acid can move upward into the oesophagus.

This can cause:

• A burning feeling in the chest (heartburn)
• Discomfort or pain
• A sour or bitter taste in the throat or mouth

If these symptoms happen more than twice a week, it may be a sign of acid reflux disease (GERD).

Acid reflux is very common and can affect people of all ages. GERD is a longer-lasting form of acid reflux, where symptoms occur regularly and may be more uncomfortable.

The good news is that many people can manage symptoms with simple changes such as:

• Adjusting what and when they eat
• Reducing alcohol or spicy/fatty foods
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Using over-the-counter medicines

In some cases, a doctor may recommend prescription medication or, rarely, surgery to help control symptoms.

If symptoms are frequent, severe, or affecting daily life, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional.