(Washington, D.C., Thursday, July 23, 2020) –The rituals of summer look a bit different for everyone this year. Across the nation, Americans are adopting new routines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But the stress of navigating hardships and unknowns, along with habits such as leading a more sedentary lifestyle while at home and indulging in comfort food, can lead to heartburn.

More than one in four adults experience heartburn at least once a week. Sometimes called acid reflux, heartburn is an uncomfortable or painful burning feeling in your chest or throat that may begin after a meal, then continue a few minutes too many hours.

If you suffer from heartburn symptoms two or more days a week, you have what’s called “frequent heartburn,” and you’re not alone: millions of Americans suffer from frequent heartburn. Research shows that summertime is the worst season for frequent heartburn sufferers.

Dr. Susan Nguyen, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy, has tips for adults searching for ways to manage their heartburn symptoms amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOUNDBITE #1:

SUMMERTIME IS THE WORST TIME OF YEAR FOR PEOPLE WITH FREQUENT HEARTBURN. AND THIS YEAR, THE ADDED STRESS OF NAVIGATING COVID-NINETEEN MEANS THAT MORE AMERICANS MAY BE INDULGING IN COMMON HEARTBURN TRIGGERS LIKE SODA, ALCOHOL, GREASY AND FRIED FOODS. YOU CAN BEGIN TO MANAGE HEARTBURN SYMPTOMS BY MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT AND DIET AND NOT SMOKING, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES AND PRESCRIPTION OPTIONS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

IF YOU SUFFER FROM FREQUENT HEARTBURN SYMPTOMS, WHICH OCCUR TWO OR MORE DAYS PER WEEK, OVER-THE-COUNTER PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS, OR O-T-C P-P-I-S, PROVIDE A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OPTION WHEN TAKEN ACCORDING TO THE LABEL—AND THEY ARE THE ONLY NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES INDICATED TO HELP TREAT FREQUENT HEARTBURN SYMPTOMS. OTHER TREATMENTS INCLUDE ANTACIDS OR H-TWO BLOCKERS FOR OCCASIONAL HEARTBURN, AND PRESCRIPTION-STRENGTH P-P-I-S FOR CHRONIC HEARTBURN. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST.

For more information about heartburn and digestive health, visit KnowYourOTCs.org.