And, when the stomach is having a hard time digesting food, it will produce more acid, which is what you don t want your body to do if you are suffering from heartburn. Foods To Eat Apples and bananas are great for helping you deal with heartburn. This is because they help dissolve acid in your stomach. This will lessen your stomach s production of acid, which will help in managing heartburn. You should also try to avoid foods that weaken the sphincter. You have to keep in mind that the sphincter acts as a valve that keeps the stomach acid in the stomach. When you eat certain foods that weaken or relax the sphincter, it will allow stomach acid to reach the esophagus, which ultimately causes heartburn. Depending on the size and position of the hernia, this can cause heartburn and even chest pain. Smoking can also cause heartburn. This is because the nicotine inside cigars and cigarettes weaken the LES. And, as you may already know, if the LES is weakened, it may not function properly and will let the stomach acid flow in to the esophagus, which will ultimately cause heartburn. But, if you are suffering from chronic heartburn, you have to remember that this is a serious condition, which can cause scarring of the esophagus. When this happens, it may be very hard or even painful for you to swallow food. This can also increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the esophagus. You also have to keep in mind that chronic heartburn can sometimes lead to much more serious complications, which will require you to seek immediate medical attention. If you are already throwing up blood or passing blood in your stools, experiencing dizziness, severe pain or light headedness, have difficulty in swallowing, feeling of dehydration, and you lost weight unintentionally, this is the time that you should call your doctor and go to the hospital. Heartburn happens when our stomach acid refluxes and comes in to contact with our esophagus. This irritates our esophagus and causes us to feel a burning sensation starting from the diaphragm all the way behind our breastbone. This is the feeling that you know as heartburn. It will also be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, which is primarily the stomach acid you regurgitated.