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What’s the best way to relieve heartburn, and what causes it?

Doctors break down common myths about the burning sensation.

YAHOO! – Maybe it was the chili cheese dog you wolfed down at the tailgating party.

Or perhaps you went to bed too quickly after eating a big meal. Or you’re pregnant, and feeling like an elephant is sitting on your chest is just a regular occurrence these days.

Whatever the cause, heartburn — that burning sensation in your chest, often after eating — can be pretty miserable. It’s also very common.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, “almost everyone will experience heartburn at some point, especially after a heavy meal.” Heartburn is also a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is thought to affect 20% of Americans.

Here’s the truth about heartburn — including why you shouldn’t always reach for a glass of milk to treat it.

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Myth No. 1: Heartburn and acid reflux are the same thing

While heartburn can be a symptom of acid reflux, the two terms are not interchangeable.

“People who are experiencing reflux do not always have the classic lower chest discomfort that we have come to describe as ‘heartburn,’” Dr. Joseph Jennings of MedStar Health tells Yahoo Life.

“Furthermore, discomfort over the lower part of your chest can be due to reflux, but not all ‘heartburn’ is coming from the gastrointestinal tract.”

Acid reflux can also cause symptoms such as coughing, swallowing issues and chronic throat clearing, he adds.

Myth No. 2: Diet choices are the only cause of heartburn

Doctors (and Google) have encouraged people prone to heartburn to avoid caffeinated drinks, chocolate, spicy foods and citrus fruits.

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But Dr. Michael Schopis of Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York City tells Yahoo Life that how a person eats — not just what they eat — matters …

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