Heartburn and acid reflux
A familiar sour taste or regurgitation may accompany reflux. Chest discomfort should not automatically be attributed to heartburn.
Common symptoms
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Regurgitation of food or liquid
- A familiar burning sensation after meals
- Bloating or nausea
A useful care conversation
Describe when symptoms occur, their relation to meals or lying down, and any swallowing difficulty. Mention medicines and treatments already tried. A clinician can discuss habits, symptom relief and whether an examination or further investigation is needed.
When to seek more care
- Call 911 for possible heart-attack symptoms, such as chest pressure or pain with breathlessness, sweating or discomfort in the arm or jaw.
- Get assessed for difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss or persistent symptoms.
General educational information, not a diagnosis or a complete symptom checker. The right care depends on your circumstances.
For an emergency, call 911. Do not wait for a Tap reply or send a photo first.
About this information
Adapted from Tap’s published care-topic library. Original publication: 2025-01-01. Prepared for this guide: 2026-09-07. Preparation is not a clinical-review certification.
The clinician decides whether advice, testing, an examination or a prescription is appropriate. A listed topic does not guarantee remote treatment or a refill. Tap does not prescribe controlled substances.