Daily heartburn is not normal. It’s a sign your body is asking for help. The earlier we diagnose the root cause, the easier it is to treat, and prevent long-term damage.
Consultant Upper GI & Bariatric Surgeon
Wondering What’s the Real Success Rate of Bariatric Surgery? Discover the true success rates and what long-term results look like for real patients.
Wondering What’s the Real Success Rate of Bariatric Surgery? Discover the true success rates and what long-term results look like for real patients.
Acid Reflux / GERD
If the pain feels like burning in the upper chest or stomach soon after meals, especially with sour taste or burping, it may be acid reflux.
You may notice:
Burning after spicy, sour, or oily food
Pain that worsens when lying down
Bloating and frequent belching
Tightness in the upper abdomen
Daily or frequent reflux is a sign of GERD, which can worsen without treatment.
👉 Related: Why Do I Get Heartburn Every Day?
👉 Take the quiz: Is It GERD or Something Else?
Gastritis (Stomach Lining Inflammation)
Gastritis causes a gnawing, burning, or aching pain shortly after eating.
It may come with:
Nausea
Early fullness
Loss of appetite
Bloating
Common triggers:
Stress
Excessive coffee/tea
Spicy food
H. pylori infection
Medications like NSAIDs
If untreated, gastritis can lead to ulcers.
Gastric or Duodenal Ulcers
Ulcers can cause:
Sharp or burning stomach pain
Pain that worsens after meals (gastric ulcer)
Pain that eases with food but returns hours later (duodenal ulcer)
Bloating or nausea
Ulcers are often caused by H. pylori bacteria or long-term painkiller use.
Endoscopy is recommended for diagnosis.
Gallbladder Problems
If you experience right upper abdominal pain, especially after oily or fried food, the cause might be:
Gallstones
Gallbladder inflammation
Symptoms often include:
Pain radiating to the back or shoulder
Nausea after fatty meals
Sudden attacks that last minutes to hours
Gallbladder pain needs medical evaluation and sometimes surgery.
Food Intolerance or IBS
If your pain comes with:
Cramping
Bloating
Gas
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
you may be dealing with:
Lactose intolerance
Gluten sensitivity
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
These conditions don’t cause structural damage but can significantly affect quality of life.
Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes into the chest area.
This can cause:
Upper stomach pain after meals
Bloating
Heartburn
Early fullness
It is often linked to long-standing reflux or pressure around the abdomen (weight, pregnancy, chronic coughing).
Pancreatic Issues
Less common but serious causes include:
Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatic disease
Pain is often:
Severe
Central or spreads to the back
Worse after eating
Accompanied by nausea or vomiting
This requires urgent medical care.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical evaluation if you have:
Pain that happens daily or after most meals
Persistent bloating or burping
Vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Unintentional weight loss
Blood in vomit or stool
Pain that wakes you at night
A simple consultation and investigations like endoscopy, ultrasound, or H. pylori testing can identify the cause quickly.
Treatment Depends on the Cause — Not Just the Pain
Drinking hot water, taking antacids, or avoiding spicy food may help temporarily — but they don’t fix the underlying issue.
Accurate diagnosis leads to proper treatment, whether it’s:
Medication for reflux or ulcers
H. pylori eradication
Gallbladder surgery
Anti-reflux surgery for severe GERD
Dietary modification for intolerances
👉 Learn more: Life After Acid Reflux Surgery