That burning, uncomfortable sensation in your chest? It’s probably heartburn. Heartburn is a very common ailment that affects many people for many reasons. It occurs when digestive acid escapes the stomach and irritates the delicate lining of the esophagus.
Usually, it’s the result of eating certain foods, or simply overeating, and can be treated with over-the-counter antacids. But sometimes, heartburn is a symptom of bigger problems, that require other solutions. Here’s when to call a doctor:
If you have frequent or constant heartburn (more than twice a week or heartburn everyday), you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that connects the esophagus and the stomach. If you have constant heartburn, you should schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
Heartburn symptoms include:
When working properly, the LES serves as a barrier that prevents digestive acid from the stomach from leaking into the esophagus. However, if the LES is weakened or malfunctioning, stomach acid can reach the esophagus and cause repeated bouts of heartburn. Over time, GERD may damage your esophagus, or lead to a serious complication called Barrett’s esophagus. In Barrett’s esophagus, repeated exposure to stomach acid causes changes to esophageal cells. These damaged cells can transform into esophageal adenocarcinoma, a potentially fatal cancer.
If GERD is suspected, your doctor may perform an endoscopy, a procedure in which a lighted scope is inserted into the esophagus, to examine the digestive tract.
There are many different over-the-counter medications to treat heartburn and acid reflux. Some of the most common include antacids (Tums), famotidine (Pepcid), and omeprazole (Prilosec). If these medications don’t work and your heartburn symptoms persist, it’s important to see your doctor since you may have GERD.
If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain or bloating in addition to heartburn, you may be suffering from gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and may be caused by bacteria, infection, chronic vomiting, or excessive use of alcohol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. An endoscopy will reveal the extent of the damage to your stomach lining.
A persistent cough or hiccup may be a sign of a hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of the stomach slips through a hole in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and the abdomen that plays a crucial role in breathing: when your diaphragm contracts, it inflates your lungs, allowing you to inhale. It has a small opening through which the esophagus passes. If the stomach slips through this opening, it can cause severe heartburn, in addition to chest or abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or shortness of breath.
If you find that it is difficult or painful to swallow in addition to suffering from heartburn, you may have esophagitis. Esophagitis is inflammation of esophageal tissue, that is often caused by GERD. If esophagitis is suspected, your doctor may order an endoscopy to assess the damage to your esophageal lining.
Nausea and vomiting may be signs of GERD, hiatal hernia, or esophagitis. Regurgitation of the stomach’s contents may occur as a complication of any of these conditions. This regurgitation often results in a “sour taste” that causes some patients to feel nauseated or lose their appetite. Extreme nausea or vomiting may also be a sign of a serious medical emergency – a heart attack.
If you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially in combination with pain in the jaw, neck, or back, nausea and vomiting, or difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately. You may be having a heart attack.
Heartburn is a common annoyance that is usually harmless, but it could be a sign of a bigger medical problem. If you have constant heartburn or its interfering with your daily life, contact your doctor to discuss treatment options or request further testing.
Curious what causes heartburn? The most common cause of heartburn is acid reflux which can be triggered by overeating, consuming spicy or fatty foods, smoking, alcohol intake, or using certain medications.
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest or throat that is caused by acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus.
Heartburn feels like the middle of your chest is burning or painful. It can feel like something is wrong with your heart and can be worrisome the first time you experience it.
Common symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation in the chest or throat, a sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, feeling like food is stuck in the throat, regurgitation of stomach contents into the mouth, nausea or vomiting, sore throat or hoarseness, and coughing or wheezing.
Yes – acid reflux can cause nausea and even vomiting.
Heartburn is typically caused by acid reflux, which can occur for a variety of reasons, including overeating, eating spicy or fatty foods, smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications.
If you experience frequent (more than two times per week) or severe heartburn, or if your heartburn is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention. Additionally, if you have been taking over-the-counter heartburn medication for more than two weeks without relief, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
There are several things you can do to prevent heartburn, such as eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, not lying down immediately after eating, and quitting smoking. Additionally, you may find relief by taking over-the-counter antacids or other medications that reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. If you have frequent or severe heartburn, your healthcare provider may recommend other treatments, such as prescription medications or surgery.
The correct spelling is heartburn in one word, not heart burn.
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