Heartburn

Have you ever felt a burning sensation in the back of your throat and upper chest right after eating food or waking up? This burning sensation is called heartburn. ‘Heart’ because it feels like the pain is around your heart and ‘burn’ because it feels like your chest is burning.

The mechanism behind chest burn is fairly simple. It is the acid your stomach produces to digest food that travels in retrograde, or backward, into your esophagus or food tube. The acid is corrosive to the esophagus, which causes pain and the burning sensation.

The pain often starts or gets worse after eating in the evening, when you wake up, or when lying down. Most people experience some degree of heartburn from time to time, which is not a cause of concern. However, repeated bouts should be treated, as it can be a sign of illness.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of heartburn that you may experience are:

  • Burning pain in the chest that usually arises after eating or in the evening
  • Pain that worsens when lying down
  • Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth or back of the throat

Causes and Risk Factors

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid travels upward into the food pipe. Though the stomach has adequate protection from the acid due to its unique lining, the same cannot be said for the esophagus. The human body has a valve link structure at the junction of the stomach and esophagus called a sphincter. The sphincter blocks the acid from moving upward, hence avoiding heartburn. Malfunction in the proper closing of the sphincter is what may start the onset of frequent bouts of heartburn.

Foods that often cause heartburn include:

  • Spicy or citric food/beverages
  • Alcohol
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Tea or coffee
  • Chocolate

Some unique risk factors that increase the risk of heartburn are obesity or pregnancy.

Complications

Frequent heartburn is a serious concern, as it can lead to serious complications. Untreated heartburn frequently leads to a disease called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux diseases). GERD may lead to esophageal ulcers and even esophageal cancer.

When to See a Doctor for Heartburn Relief

You should immediately call us and seek medical help if you are having:

  • Heartburn that occurs two or more times per week
  • Symptoms persist despite the use of over-the-counter medicines
  • You are having difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
  • You have persistent vomiting or nausea
  • You’re having weight loss or weakness due to an improper diet
  • If you experience severe chest pain that is radiating toward your arm, neck, and/or jaw, as it might indicate a serious emergency like angina (heart attack)

For more information about heartburn and similar diseases, please visit our patient library. If you are experiencing serious and frequent bouts of heartburn, please reach out to our clinic in Jamaica Estates, New York, at (718) 291-0488.

digestive system