About heartburn

First of all, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. At the bottom of your esophagus there is a circular band of muscles, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a valve to the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) allows food to enter the stomach and prevents stomach acids from coming back up into the esophagus. In some people the LES doesn’t open and close properly. When stomach acid refluxes back into the esophagus it can cause a burning sensation in the chest. Since the esophagus doesn’t have the same protective lining as the stomach, the acid can irritate sensitive tissues, which causes the pain known as heartburn.

What foods can cause heartburn?

Although the actual cause of heartburn is physical, certain types of food tend to trigger heartburn. For example, chocolate contains compounds that could relax the LES and allow acid to enter the esophagus. Others foods, like spicy food and tomato based foods, directly irritate the esophagus. Some of the foods that can trigger heartburn are shown below.

What behaviors can trigger heartburn for some people?

There are certain behaviors that can cause heartburn. Making a few minor adjustments in your eating habits could help. Here are four habits that could put pressure on your stomach that you should try to avoid if you want to reduce your chances of triggering heartburn:

- Eating too fast

- Eating a large meal

- Lying down after a meal

- Exercising after eating

What physicalities can trigger heartburn? How can TUMS help?

Your own body can act as a trigger and cause the pain of heartburn. It can be anything from pregnancy, anxiety or weak esophageal muscle.

TUMS antacid, America's number 1 antacid, goes to work in seconds. Many other heartburn medications are absorbed into the bloodstream and can take hours or days to fully work. TUMS antacid travels directly to the source of the heartburn. Once there, it neutralizes acid on contact for fast relief. And TUMS antacid tastes great too, giving you more flavor options than anyone else.

TUMS antacid goes to work in seconds to start buffering and neutralizing acid in the esophagus and it keeps working as it dissolves, neutralizing gastric acid in the stomach.

Read and follow label directions.

How many carbohydrates are in TUMS Ultra Strength antacids?

Each tablet contains:

TUMS Ultra Strength 1000: 2 grams per tablet

Are TUMS products kosher?

TUMS products (with the exception of Chewy Bites and Chewy Delights) are Kosher Pareve. TUMS products receive a Kosher Certificate from Diamond K Supervision. See front label to determine the Kosher status of the product you have selected.

Can people who can’t have dairy take TUMS Antacid Products?

Yes, with a few exceptions. Tums Chewy Delights all contain milk products. TUMS Chewy Bites are manufactured in a plant that also processes products that contain milk. Although we have cleaning procedures in place, we cannot ensure you that some small trace of milk products would not be present in other products. If your milk allergies are very serious or life-threatening, you should consult your doctor before using any TUMS product.

Are TUMS antacid bottles recyclable?

TUMS bottles are recyclable.