Acid reflux is what causes the feeling of heartburn. This symptom can last for a few hours at a time, depending on what causes it.
When you experience mild heartburn, like from eating a spicy meal or acidic foods, it usually goes as soon as you digest the meal. But according to the American College of Gastroenterology, lying down, like when you go to sleep, can trigger heartburn symptoms to return.
You can manage this type of heartburn at home with natural remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
However, experiencing heartburn from acid reflux twice or more per week may be a sign of an underlying health condition. This can last longer, and if that’s the case, talk with a healthcare professional.
Heartburn from acid reflux may feel like:
- a sour taste in your mouth
- burning sensations in your upper chest
- having trouble swallowing
- waking up at night from stomach pains or coughing
- wheezing
How long should it last?
Most people experience acid reflux at some point. For example, you may experience it after eating a heavy meal or drinking too much alcohol (if applicable). The usual symptom of heartburn often goes away as soon as you digest the food causing your symptoms, lasting for only a few hours.
Sometimes, symptoms can briefly return later as you change position, like when you lie down in bed.
If you experience heartburn more than twice per week, even if it’s always after meals, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
This is a sign that your symptoms may be due to an underlying health condition, such as persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is when your heartburn symptoms do not go away with at-home treatments.
GERD is classified as a chronic condition, which means it’s a condition that lasts for at least one year. It can affect you throughout your life and usually requires medical treatment.
Is it a sign of something more serious?
For most people, acid reflux is just a few hours of discomfort that goes away as you finish digesting your meal.
But it’s important to see a healthcare professional if:
- OTC medications do not help relieve your discomfort or pain
- you experience acid reflux consistently for longer than 8 weeks without relief after treatment
They may recommend a biopsy of your esophagus to check for any unusual cell growth.
Experiencing acid reflux more than twice per week may be a sign that you have persistent GERD. Heartburn is also a symptom of GERD. Without treatment for GERD, you may be at risk of developing complications due to your esophagus having continuous exposure to your stomach acid.
Some of these complications include:
- Barrett’s esophagus: This is when the cells in your esophagus start to grow abnormally, potentially leading to cancer. Doctors think it may be the result of consistent exposure to stomach acid, like from acid reflux and GERD. It occurs in 15% of people with GERD, compared with only 1.5% of the rest of the population.
- Stricture: This is the narrowing or tightening of your esophagus. It can cause difficulty swallowing.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of your esophagus, which can lead to erosion.
Acid reflux treatments
If your heartburn is not a symptom of an underlying condition, you may be able to manage it with OTC medications and lifestyle changes.
Medical treatments
There are three main types of medications for soothing symptoms of heartburn:
| Type | Names | How does it work? |
| antacids | Tums, magnesium maalox, Mylanta | These neutralize your stomach acid immediately. These medications include ingredients like calcium carbonate and are available OTC. If OTC treatments don’t work, seek advice from a healthcare professional. |
| proton pump inhibitors | omeprazole (Losec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) | These medications reduce stomach acid production, allowing your esophagus to heal. |
| H2 blockers | famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet) | These block the substance histamine, which is what causes your stomach to produce stomach acid. These medications are not a long-term solution for acid reflux. |
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Get free cardNatural remedies
While medication is the most common way of treating acid reflux, there are other ways to manage your symptoms and reduce the risk of acid reflux. These include:
- managing your weight to help reduce pressure on your stomach, which can lead to acid reflux
- avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux, such as alcohol, sodas, and fried foods
- eating smaller portions, more regularly
- wearing loose clothing around your waist
- avoiding rest or lying down after eating
- quitting smoking (if applicable) to lower damage to your esophagus
If OTC medications or natural remedies do not help your heartburn, or you experience symptoms more often, seek help from a doctor.
They may recommend certain tests to determine whether there’s an underlying health condition causing your symptoms. Together, you can create a treatment plan that works for you.
Summary
Most often, heartburn due to acid reflux only lasts for a few hours at a time.
But if the acid reflux is caused by an underlying condition, like GERD, it might last longer or affect you more often, possibly over the course of several years.
Occasional heartburn that lasts a few hours is nothing to worry about.
If you experience acid reflux symptoms more regularly (e.g., more than twice a week) or OTC medications do not help, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help identify the underlying cause and make sure you receive the treatment you need.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.