A burning feeling after dinner, a sour taste when you lie down, or the uncomfortable sensation that food is sticking on its way down—these symptoms can raise questions about what is happening in your digestive system.
Reflux and heartburn are closely connected. Swallowing difficulties can sometimes be related, but they deserve separate attention. Understanding the difference can help you recognise when simple changes may help and when to speak to your GP.
What causes acid reflux?
Acid reflux happens when stomach contents travel back up into your oesophagus—the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
Two common symptoms are:
- Heartburn: a burning sensation behind the breastbone.
- Regurgitation: food or sour-tasting fluid coming back into your throat or mouth.
Some people also experience nausea, a persistent cough or a hoarse voice. However, these symptoms have other possible causes, so they do not automatically mean you have reflux. [3]
Occasional reflux is common. When it repeatedly causes troublesome symptoms or complications, it may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, usually shortened to GORD. You may see GERD used in American medical information. [1, 2]
Understanding the valve between your stomach and oesophagus
At the bottom of your oesophagus is a ring of muscle called the lower oesophageal sphincter. Think of it as a muscular doorway into your stomach.
It normally relaxes to let swallowed food through, then tightens again to help keep stomach contents where they belong. The diaphragm—the muscle beneath your lungs—also helps support this barrier.
Reflux can happen when this muscle relaxes at the wrong time or does not provide an effective seal. Stomach contents can then move upwards. This helps explain why reflux is not simply a matter of producing too much acid: the barrier between the stomach and oesophagus also matters. [1, 3]
A hiatus hernia can make reflux more likely. This happens when part of the stomach moves upwards through an opening in the diaphragm. Some people have a hiatus hernia without noticeable symptoms. [1, 3]
Why do some people get heartburn more often than others?
Several factors can influence how often reflux happens. Pregnancy, carrying excess weight, smoking and certain medicines can increase the likelihood of symptoms. There is not always one obvious cause. [2, 3]
Your eating habits and daily routine can also make a difference. You may notice symptoms after a large meal, when bending over, or when lying down soon after eating. Someone who eats their main meal shortly before bed may therefore experience a different pattern from someone who eats earlier. [2, 4]
Food triggers vary between people. Coffee, alcohol, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes and citrus can worsen symptoms for some people, but they do not affect everyone in the same way. [4]
You do not need to remove every possible trigger from your diet. A brief record of what you ate, when symptoms occurred and whether you were lying down can help you identify your own pattern. Focus on foods and habits that repeatedly seem to affect you. [1, 4]
Practical ways to reduce reflux symptoms
- Try smaller meals if large portions bring on symptoms.
- Allow around three hours between eating and going to bed, particularly if reflux occurs at night.
- Stay upright after meals instead of lying down immediately.
- Reduce your personal food or drink triggers, while keeping your diet balanced.
- Stop smoking, with support if needed.
- Consider gradual weight loss if you are overweight.
- For night-time symptoms, raise the head of your bed or use a suitable wedge. Simply stacking extra pillows can put pressure on your abdomen.
A pharmacist can advise about short-term symptom relief. If symptoms keep returning or pharmacy treatments are not helping, speak to your GP. Your doctor may recommend medicine that reduces stomach acid and assess whether further investigation is needed. [1, 2]
Do not stop prescribed medication because you suspect it is contributing to reflux. Ask your GP or pharmacist to review it with you. [2]
Food stuck in your throat? Understanding swallowing difficulties
Difficulty swallowing is called dysphagia. It may feel as though food is sticking in your throat or chest, or you may cough or choke when eating or drinking. Some people struggle with solid foods; others have difficulty with liquids too. [5]
New or recurring swallowing difficulties should be assessed promptly. Do not assume they are simply another symptom of heartburn. Contact your GP for an urgent appointment, particularly if food repeatedly feels stuck or you cough or choke during meals. [5]
Possible causes include:
- Reflux-related inflammation or scarring, which can narrow the oesophagus. [1]
- Eosinophilic oesophagitis, an inflammatory condition that can cause solid food to stick and is often associated with allergic conditions. [6]
- A ring or other narrowing within the oesophagus. [7]
- Problems with the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing. [5]
Less commonly, swallowing difficulties can be caused by cancer. This is one reason assessment matters, especially if symptoms are getting worse or you are losing weight without trying. [1, 5]
Your doctor may recommend a gastroscopy, which uses a thin, flexible camera to examine your oesophagus and stomach. Depending on your symptoms, other tests or a swallowing assessment may be appropriate. [1, 2, 5]
When food sticking needs emergency care
If food is stuck and you cannot swallow your saliva, are drooling, or cannot swallow anything further, go to an emergency department immediately. A complete blockage may need urgent treatment. [7]
If you are choking or having difficulty breathing, call 112 or 999.
When should you seek medical advice?
Arrange a GP review if heartburn happens most days, symptoms persist despite treatment, or reflux regularly disrupts your sleep. [1, 2]
Seek prompt medical assessment for difficulty or pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or persistent vomiting. Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools needs urgent medical attention. [3, 5]
Do not assume chest pain is heartburn. Call 112 or 999 for sudden chest pain or tightness accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to your arms, jaw, neck or back. Heart-related symptoms can sometimes feel like indigestion. [8]
Medical references
- Katz PO, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2022;117(1):27–56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538. Read source
- Health Service Executive. Heartburn and acid reflux. Read source
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD. Read source
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet and nutrition for GER and GERD. Read source
- NHS. Dysphagia: swallowing problems. Read source
- MedlinePlus. Eosinophilic oesophagitis. Read source
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Management of ingested foreign bodies and food impactions. Read source
- Health Service Executive. Heart attack symptoms. Read source
Information provided is for educational use only and should not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis.
