Heartburn is an unpleasant feeling of warmth or burning in the chest, just behind the breastbone or in the epigastrium. The pain worsens when you are lying down or bending over. While it is often apparent in the chest, it can also radiate to the neck, throat or angle of the jaw.
Heartburn is sometimes interchanged with acid reflux but technically, heartburn is the symptom you feel when you have acid reflux (acid splashes up and out of the stomach).
Although the heartburn pain is felt in the chest, it has nothing to do with the heart. The uncomfortable feeling is mainly caused by stomach acid.
Occasional heartburn is common, about 30% of the adult population in the United States experience it. This shouldn’t cause for alarm because the discomfort can easily be managed by taking over-the-counter medications and by doing some lifestyle changes. You can avoid heartburn by steering clear of foods or drinks that put you in a heartburn-inviting situation.
However, if you experience heartburn more frequently and it interferes with your day to day activities, you have to go see a doctor because this may be a symptom of something more serious. Persistent episodes of heartburn can indicate GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If left untreated, this can lead to complications such as ulcers in the esophagus.
-Heartburn Causes
Once the food that we swallow gets to the stomach, stomach acid digests the food. This acid is so strong that it can damage most parts of the body. Fortunately, the stomach is protected by a special mucous layer. The esophagus on the other hand is not equipped with such special protection and when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close completely, the lower part of the esophagus is susceptible to damage by stomach acid. When this occurs, we may experience heartburn.
The lower esophageal sphincter may not close completely because of the following reasons:
1.) Certain foods and drinks such as peppermint, chocolate, tangy citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onion, anything spicy, beverages that contain a considerable amount of caffeine (coffee, tea and soft drinks), fatty foods and alcohol are all known to loosen the lower esophageal sphincter and irritate the lining of the esophagus.
If you cannot avoid the foods that cause heartburn mentioned above (which is almost impossible to do anyway), you can take a product (dietary supplement like Prelief) before meals that will reduce the acid in all foods and beverages.
2.) Heartburn sometimes depends on the body’s position. The acid in the stomach flows back into the esophagus easily when you are lying down or bending over. You can purchase a wedge pillow specifically designed for people with GERD to avoid heartburn while you sleep.
3.) Lifting, straining, tight clothing, coughing, full stomach and pregnancy can also trigger heartburn because they have the tendency to increase the pressure on the stomach and they force stomach acid backward into the esophagus.
Also, eating within two to three hours before bedtime can cause stomach contents to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter thus increasing the chances of refluxed food.
4.) People who are suffering from certain medical conditions like diabetes, autoimmune diseases and hiatal hernia may have an increased chance of heartburn.
5.) Certain blood pressure and heart medications and the asthma drug theophylline can loosen the lower esophageal sphincter thus causing heartburn.
6.) There is also a connection between heartburn and stress. Reducing your stress can possibly reduce your heartburn symptoms.
Learn more about Heartburn.
Foods That Cause Heartburn
Foods That Stop Heartburn
Is It Heartburn or GERD?
Stress and Heartburn
How To Stop Heartburn
How I Cured My Heartburn