Heartburn and bloating in teens is more common than most people realize. But nobody talks about it.
It’s awkward to mention at school. And people think it only happens to adults.
Just know this. If you’re feeling the burn, you’re not alone. Lucky for you, there are quiet and effective ways to deal with it.
Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for quick relief.
But the OTC meds are reactive to common symptoms that you might have. They don’t look at why your gut is reacting.
That’s where Claisen is different.
Instead of guessing with random OTC meds, you plug in your symptoms and problems into Claisen’s website. Then, Claisen’s millions of data points matching other people with similar symptoms give you a personalized plan.
Which would you rather — take generic drugs or follow a plan that is tried and tested for people with your exact symptoms?
About Claisen
Claisen is a 100% online platform designed to provide personalized relief for bloating, gas, and heartburn, so you can run stronger and recover faster.
With Claisen, you can skip the guesswork and get instant relief!
Heartburn happens when stomach acid rises into your esophagus and neck. In teens, it’s most often triggered by:
Eating super fast during a short lunch period at school
Chugging soda, energy drinks
Stress from school, work, friends
Overeating after skipping meals
Lack of discipline in sleep and meals
Even your posture can make things worse. Avoid slouching over a phone or laptop.
Managing Heartburn as a Teen Without Making It Obvious
No need to get up in front of the class and ask your teacher for a hall pass whenever your chest burns. Try these smart changes first:
#1: Chew Gum
Gum without sugar can increase saliva production in your throat, which will help neutralize the acid. This will reduce your heartburn pain.
#2: Be Smart with Drinks
Fizzy drinks make heartburn and bloating worse. Try flat alternatives like water, tea, or coconut water.
#3: Eat Foods that Aren’t Spicy
Hot Cheetos, pizza, Takis, and fast food are fun until hot.
Try switching them for granola bars, bananas, oatmeal, or chicken wraps.
Boring? Maybe.
Your body would disagree.
What About the Bloating as a Teen?
Everyone teen has felt like a balloon after eating at some point. Here are some simple steps to deflate yourself, whether it’s common or a rare occurrence for you.
Walk for 10 Minutes
Getting movement after eating helps in multiple ways: improves your blood sugar control, your mood, and digestion because of gravity.
Eat Slower and Chew More
When you eat fast, you swallow tons of air. Slowing down will allow you to efficiently take in the food that you’re eating in smaller pieces without the air involved. This will significantly reduce your bloated feeling.
Foods & Drinks to Avoid
These give you a ton of extra air. Avoid them all together if bloating is a frequent event for you.
Beans
Broccoli
Carbonated beverages
Straws and gum
If It’s Frequent, Speak Up.
In the grand scheme of things, it is more important to stay healthy than to avoid being embarrassed.
Make sure you are in good shape over all else.
It might be more than just bad lunch choices.
Keep track of what you’re eating and when the symptoms hit.
If it keeps happening for more than a week, it could be something bigger like a food sensitivity or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
That's when you should talk to your healthcare provider.
OTC meds probably aren’t working at this point, so look to get a personalized solution that is based on your body specifically, like Claisen.
While occasional bloating is normal, consistent morning symptoms can sap your energy and confidence.
Your gut is as unique as your fingerprint.
Stop gambling or guessing with one-size-fits-all fixes.
Start personalizing your relief.
Take the Claisen quiz and get a relief plan that fits your gut.
You’re Not Alone. I’ll Prove it to You.
Everyone's dealing with something, whether they talk about it or not. Handling heartburn in teens doesn't have to be embarrassing. It just takes some confidence.
Here's some stats on how common heartburn in teens really is, which makes it interesting how little it is talked about.
1 in 4 teenagers has gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
Source: MemorialCare
Around 5–8% of children aged 10 to 17 have weekly symptoms of GERD.
Source: National Institutes of Health
Key Takeaways
Chew gum after eating to increase saliva, which will neutralize acid
Avoid carbonated drinks. Water is always the best.
Chew your food more, and avoid the extreme spice and grease.
Get a medicine that works for you. Claisen has specific options for everyone.
Walk for 5–10 minutes after eating to ease bloating and aid digestion.
If symptoms last over 2 weeks or happen often, talk to a doctor.
What’s the best way to actually get rid of heartburn as a teen?
Make it simple: eat slowly, skip spicy chips every other time you would eat them, and don't chug soda. Just slow it down a little bit, and chew some gum. If the burn still hits, take an antacid. No one has to know about them, just keep them in your backpack.
Why do I always feel super bloated after lunch?
Don't worry, it's pretty common to get the bloated feeling after lunch at school. The time is too short and you're rushing, so try to avoid foods that require you to swallow air. No beans, candy, or broccoli. Start walking in the halls early before your next period so you get some extra exercise to regulate your sugar.
My chest burns a lot and I’m only 14… is that normal??
It is normal, and very common. 1 in 4 adolescents experiences heartburn symptoms at least once a month. If it keeps happening for over one week, start tracking what you eat and how severely you feel it. Maybe you'll catch on to a pattern? If it continues, its probably time to visit a doctor or get a medication specific to you like Claisen.
What can I drink that won’t make the heartburn worse?
Plain water is best. None of that sparkling stuff. If you want something more tasty, try ginger herbal tea or almond milk. Avoid anything carbonated. It's as simple as that.
What does GERD feel like?
GERD feels like you are getting heartburn 24/7 and it never goes away. If you're also burping, feel acid in your mouth, or sick constantly, it definitely increases the chances of GERD as well. Start tracking your symptoms, severity, and what you're eating. If it lasts over 2 weeks, definitely check it out with a doctor.