That unpleasant sensation when acid spills back up from our stomach into our oesophagus is a form of indigestion known as heartburn. It's very common; many people will experience it at some point in their lives. Hot or spicy food, eating too quickly, or bending over or lying down soon after a meal can all play a part.
However, heartburn isn't considered a health problem unless it’s happening at least twice a week. This could lead to a diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or reflux, which over time can cause damage and inflammation
