Heartburn, also known as pyrosis, is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects the stomach to the mouth.
Causes of Heartburn
Heartburn is an extremely common condition, and nearly everyone will experience it at some point in their life. For most people, it is an occasional and entirely normal occurrence. However, some individuals deal with it on a chronic or near-daily basis.
Heartburn develops when the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus, which normally contract to prevent backflow after food passes through, fail to close fully. This allows stomach acid to travel back up into the esophagus, a process known as gastric reflux, which produces the familiar burning sensation.
Several factors can trigger or contribute to gastroesophageal reflux, including alcohol consumption, excess body weight, pregnancy, smoking, and lying down shortly after eating. Certain underlying conditions can also cause heartburn, such as scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder involving excessive fibrosis) and hiatal hernia. In some cases, specific medications are responsible for triggering acid reflux as a side effect.
Symptoms of Heartburn
When reflux becomes persistent and chronic, it is diagnosed as
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
A person living with this condition may experience a range of symptoms, including:
- Chest pain, typically occurring at night or after meals
- A bitter or sour taste in the mouth
- A sensation of acid rising into the mouth
- Nausea
- Regurgitation
- Chronic cough or wheezing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hiccups
- Hoarseness
- Voice changes or a persistent sore throat
Heartburn vs. Acid Reflux: What’s the Difference?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, heartburn and acid reflux are not the same thing.
Heartburn refers specifically to the burning sensation in the chest, which actually originates in the esophagus. It is a symptom of acid reflux or GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux refers to the process itself, the upward movement of stomach acid into the esophagus.
When this reflux becomes chronic, it evolves into GERD. For a physician to formally diagnose GERD, the patient must experience reflux at least twice a week consistently.
How Is Heartburn Treated?
The appropriate treatment depends on how frequently and severely a person experiences heartburn.
For someone who only experiences reflux occasionally, typically triggered by a specific food or situation, simple dietary adjustments, over-the-counter antacids to neutralize stomach acid, or home remedies may be sufficient.
For those who experience recurring heartburn, seeking specialized medical care is important. Specialized medical care can identify what is truly behind the symptoms, enabling an accurate diagnosis and a targeted treatment plan designed to provide lasting relief.
Which Specialist Treats Heartburn?
Heartburn should not be dismissed as a minor inconvenience, as it can have a variety of causes and potential complications.
Digestive disorders like heartburn and acid reflux are managed by a gastroenterologist, a specialist who not only treats symptoms but also identifies and addresses their root causes.
Preventing Heartburn
Several lifestyle measures can help reduce the frequency and severity of heartburn:
- Diet: Identifying which foods and beverages trigger symptoms and reducing or avoiding them is an important first step. Overeating can also promote reflux, so portion control matters.
- Meal timing: Lying down immediately after eating, particularly at night after a large dinner, is a known trigger that is best avoided.
- Weight management: Excess body weight increases intra-abdominal pressure, which promotes reflux. Losing weight can significantly reduce symptoms. Tight-fitting clothing around the abdomen can have a similar effect.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause or worsen acid reflux. Any pregnant woman experiencing heartburn should consult her physician before taking any measures or medications to address it.
- Medications: When a prescribed medication appears to be the source of heartburn symptoms, the prescribing physician should be consulted before making any changes. They can assess whether switching to an alternative drug is appropriate or whether targeted preventive strategies can help manage the side effect.
ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department offers specialized care for heartburn and related conditions. Contact us and get the help you need today!
Fuentes: Secretaría de Salud
