However, this is not really the cause. You have to remember that heartburn occurs when the stomach acid travels up or refluxes in to the esophagus. In most cases, this happens when you lie down after having a big meal. Heartburn can cause a painful burning sensation on your chest and this can really prevent you from having a good night sleep. Around 10 percent of the adult population experiences a chronic kind of heartburn. Chronic heartburn happens when people start experiencing the condition every single day. And, this can really have the ability to take control of your life. Chronic heartburn will rob you of a normal life. You won t be able to sleep because of the pain and also reduce your activities because of the discomfort you will experience from heartburn. Basically, heartburn is a digestive disorder that is a result of living an unhealthy lifestyle. The foods we eat are primarily one of the causes of heartburn, especially today where the food available is not always healthy for our stomach and for our overall health. The key to managing and treating heartburn is to make some lifestyle changes. As a chronic heartburn sufferer, you have to know about the contributing factors. One is called GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This is a common disease that is characterized by the stomach acid flowing backward in to the esophagus repeatedly. This will cause burning chest pain and it can also damage the esophagus, which can lead to bleeding and scarring. But, it is still uncomfortable and you want to control or manage it or at least decrease its frequency. Here are ways on how you can prevent or at least manage heartburn during pregnancy. Firstly, you have to realize that heartburn is caused by a backflow of stomach acid in to the esophagus. This happens because the muscles in your stomach relax because of the hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy. Chronic heartburn is when you experience this condition every single day or almost every day. If this is the case, then you may want to go to your doctor and have it checked. Leaving chronic heartburn untreated can lead to more severe complications that will significantly have a negative effect on your life.