Heartburn is a common digestive issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It often causes sharp chest pain that may be mistaken for a heart attack, but it’s typically related to acid reflux in the gastrointestinal system. Understanding heartburn's causes, symptoms, and treatments can help you manage the condition and prevent future health issues. This blog covers everything you need to know about heartburn, including its causes, risk factors, and how to treat and prevent it.
Read Also: Heart Attack vs Heart Failure: Key Differences You Should Know
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is the burning feeling in the chest just behind the breastbone when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining and causing the burning sensation associated with heartburn. Heartburn is often caused by certain foods, lifestyle habits, or medical conditions like acid reflux. While heartburn can be occasional and tolerated, frequent or persistent heartburn may contribute to the more severe condition of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which requires medical diagnosis and intervention.Also Read: How Do I Know If My Chest Pain Is Serious?
What Causes Heartburn?
The management of heartburn necessitates understanding its causes. Here are some of the main reasons behind this condition:- Acid Reflux: The most common cause of heartburn, occurring when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This typically happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – the muscle between the stomach and esophagus – becomes weak or relaxed. If the LES relaxes too late or is too weak to stay closed, stomach acid flows upwards, causing heartburn.
- Trigger Foods: Certain foods are more likely to trigger heartburn, including:
- Fatty foods
- Spicy foods
- Citrus fruits
- Tomato products
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcohol
- Obesity: Acidity and heartburn are more likely in individuals who are obese, especially around the abdominal region, due to increased pressure on the stomach and LES.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy may relax the LES, and the expanding uterus puts pressure on the stomach, increasing the risk of acid reflux or heartburn.
- Smoking: Smoking lowers the tone of the LES and increases acid secretion in the stomach, both of which contribute to heartburn.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen, some blood pressure medications, and sedatives, increase the risk of heartburn.
- Hiatal Hernia: A condition in which part of the stomach bulges into the chest through the diaphragm, weakening the LES and causing heartburn.
- Stress: While stress is not a direct cause of heartburn, it can increase stomach acid production, aggravating symptoms and leading to more frequent heartburn episodes.
Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn symptoms are generally simple to recognize due to their characteristic nature. Among its more common symptoms are:- Burning in the Chest: The most identifying symptom of heartburn occurs after eating, mainly when lying down or at nighttime. The burning feeling typically begins in the stomach but extends upward to the chest and throat.
- Regurgitation: One often experiences a sour or bitter taste in the mouth as stomach acid reaches the throat. This is usually accompanied by the patient's perception of food "coming back up."
- Difficulty Swallowing: Some people with heartburn feel that food is stuck in their throat or have trouble swallowing.
- Chronic Cough or Hoarseness: Heartburn can irritate the throat, leading to a cough, sore throat, or hoarseness.
- Bloating and Burping: Patients with frequent heartburn may experience excess gas and bloating, mainly after big meals.
- Nausea: Heartburn is, in some cases, accompanied by nausea, mainly in instances of very severe or mealtime-only reflux.
Signs of Severe Heartburn
Severe heartburn is relatively rare but can develop into more serious medical issues if it occurs frequently. It is, therefore, crucial to identify symptoms of severe heartburn because they can signal the need for a visit to the doctor or even emergency treatment. Some of the signs of severe heartburn include:- Sharp chest pain that persists for more than a few minutes might point to a heart attack, not just heartburn. Seek medical help right away because there is a possibility that it is a cardiac event.
- Trouble breathing: Shortness of breath and chest pain may be signs of a heart attack or another serious medical condition.
- Pain radiating to the arm or jaw: If it radiates down to the left arm, jaw, or back, it could be a sign of a heart attack and needs medical attention very urgently.
- Heartburn occurs frequently: If it happens more than twice a week, it may be a sign of GERD, a chronic condition with the potential for complications leading to esophageal damage.
- IInvoluntary Weight Loss: Combined with heartburn, unexplained weight loss may indicate a more severe condition, such as an esophageal disorder or even a cancerous case.
Heartburn vs. Heart Attack
Many people mistakenly believe that heart attack symptoms and heartburn are related conditions or interchangeable, especially as they both involve pain in the chest. Of course, there are some differences:- Heartburn: It typically causes a burning sensation in the chest, especially after eating or lying down. It may even be taken by antacids or while in an upright position.
- Heart Attack: Results in more severe chest pain, which many victims often describe as pressure or tightness. The pain may radiate to the arms, jaw, and back and is frequently coupled with shortness of breath, sweating dizziness, and nausea.
Also Read: Why Are You Experiencing Pain in the Right Side of Your Chest?
Treatment of Heartburn
Fortunately, heartburn is a treatable condition, and several options are available to help alleviate symptoms. Treatment depends on the frequency and severity of the symptoms and may include lifestyle changes, medications, or, in some cases, surgery.Lifestyle Changes:
- Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Larger meals pressure the stomach and LES, increasing the risk of acid reflux.
- Avoid Trigger Foods: Identify foods that cause heartburn, such as fatty, spicy, or acidic ones, and avoid them.
- Lose Weight: Being overweight can pressure the stomach and LES, leading to acid reflux. Losing weight may help prevent it.
- Stop Smoking: The LES can be weakened by smoking, so quitting may help reduce heartburn.
- Elevate the Head of Your Bed: When sleeping, keep the bed's upper part raised to prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus.
Medications Available for Over-the-Counter Prescription
- Antacids: Tums or Maalox, among others, neutralize stomach acid and provide fast relief for mild heartburn.
- H2 Blockers: They reduce the production of acids from the stomach and provide long-term relief.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs like omeprazole and lansoprazole block acid better and are used in the chronic form of heartburn or GERD.
Prescription Medications:
Further, when the above medications are not workable, a doctor can prescribe strong medications to include H2 blockers and PPIs at higher doses.Surgery:
In severe cases, surgery might be required. One standard surgical procedure is a fundoplication, whereby the LES is tightened to prevent acid reflux. This is usually done after lifestyle changes and medications do not yield any relief.Prevention of Heartburn
Prevention is the best strategy for managing heartburn. Some simple ways to reduce heartburn's intensity and frequency include:- Do not eat large meals and then lie down.
- Set aside time after meals to remain in an upright position to ensure proper digestion of food.
- Decrease your alcohol and caffeine intake since those substances relax the LES.
- Wear loose clothes to give your stomach less pressure than usual.
- Relieve stress by meditation or deep breathing exercises that reduce the physiological effects of stress on the digestive tract.
