It is a clear indication that you are suffering from a more serious medical condition, such as GERD. There are factors that can contribute to chronic heartburn. For example, it can be because of gender. Women tend to be more prone to chronic heartburn than men. Some speculate that a woman s lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions more frequently than men, which means that gastric juices or stomach acid flows back in to the esophagus. Chronic heartburn can be treated with antacids and lifestyle changes. But, it is important that you should try and seek medical attention to treat the underlying causes of chronic heartburn. So, if you are already experiencing heartburn more than twice a week, you should immediately seek medical help. You need to understand heartburn in order for you to treat it properly. Today, around 30 percent of the adult population in the country experiences occasional heartburn. Around 10 to 15 percent of the adult population experiences the condition every day. So, what are the symptoms of heartburn that you should watch out for? Basically, the best way to treat heartburn is to stop its causes. By knowing what is causing heartburn, you will be able to know how to prevent the causes and ultimately, treat heartburn effectively. Heartburn is basically caused by stomach acid getting in contact with the esophagus. When this happens, the acid will irritate the esophagus, which in turn will cause heartburn. You need to keep in mind that your goal is to stop acid from reaching your esophagus and by eating citrus fruits, which are acidic in nature, you are worsening the problem. This means that you may need to avoid fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits. Tomatoes are also acidic and it should also be avoided. The nicotine you inhale will increase the production of stomach acid and it will also weaken the LES or the lower esophageal sphincter. The LES acts as a valve which is primarily responsible for keeping stomach acid inside the stomach and prevent it from reaching your esophagus. You should also avoid drinking too much alcohol.