Posted on: June 22, 2026
If you've ever experienced heartburn, you know how uncomfortable it can be. That burning sensation in the chest, throat, or upper stomach can range from mildly annoying to something that affects your quality of life every day.
One of the most interesting things about heartburn is that there are many, many reasons why it can happen. To make it even more complicated, people experience heartburn very differently. Two people can both say they have heartburn, but the underlying reason may be completely different.
When you've been dealing with heartburn for a long time, it can be difficult to know what came first. Sometimes it's a bit of a "chicken or the egg" situation. Symptoms may have been present for so long that it's hard to determine what started the process in the first place.
Some of the potential reasons someone may experience heartburn include:
- Seasonal allergies and chronic post-nasal drip
- H. pylori infection
- Previous or ongoing use of over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen
- Inflammation of the stomach
- A hiatal hernia, which may allow food and stomach acid to sit and splash upward into the esophagus
- Stomach acid that is too low
- Stomach acid that is too high
And honestly, the list can go on and on and on.
This is one of the reasons why digestive health can be so complex. A symptom like heartburn may look straightforward on the surface, but there can be many different factors contributing to it.
As a naturopathic doctor, my goal is always to try to understand why a symptom is happening. Sometimes we're able to identify a clear cause. Other times, the answer isn't immediately available to us. When that happens, we use the symptoms as clues and start pulling back the layers, almost like peeling an onion. As we gather more information, the story often becomes clearer.
Every person sitting in front of me has a different health history, different symptoms, and different goals. Because of that, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach.
In my practice, I often use demulcents, which are herbs and natural compounds that help coat and soothe the stomach. I also frequently use zinc carnosine to help support tissue healing. Depending on what is going on, I may consider different probiotics, and I often use deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) as part of a digestive support plan.
The exact approach depends on the individual. It depends on their symptoms, their history, and what they are hoping to achieve.
Lifestyle changes can also be an important part of the conversation. At the same time, some people find it easier to make those changes once they start feeling better. Sometimes helping someone reduce their symptoms first gives them the momentum they need to tackle the lifestyle factors that may be contributing.
Heartburn is rarely as simple as it seems. While the symptom may be common, the reason behind it can be very different from person to person. That's why taking the time to understand the whole picture is often one of the most important steps in supporting long-term digestive health.