If you found this site I guess you really want to know, what heartburn is. After reading this article you’ll know all about heartburn (ok, that’s an exaggeration, but, in fact, you will know a lot more). Other names for heartburn are pyrosis or acid indigestion. It’s estimated that around 42% of the US population encountered heartburn.
Where does heartburn come from?
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). Acid reflux simply means that gastric contents, especially the gastric acid flow back into the esophagus. This regurgitation leads to a burning sensation felt in the chest or often felt in the heart. That is the reason why it’s called heartburn although it doesn’t have anything to do with the heart.
It’s pretty normal to have acid reflux sometimes, especially after you ate something with high fat amount or a large meal. Citrus fruits, tomatoes and other food that contains a lot of acid may also lead to heartburn. So do onions, they’re known for triggering acid reflex though it’s not known where this comes from. Red meat like pork or beef seems to be a trigger for acid reflux (and other diseases), too. In general there’s no way to tell which food does good to you and which not. Try to link your symptoms to the food you ate and avoid it in future.
Chronic heartburn normally results from one of these causes:
1. The stomach produces such a high amount of gastric acid that the Peristalsis of the esophagus can’t handle it anymore.
2. The peristalsis of the esophagus is impaired and isn’t able to let the acid flow back
3. The lower esophageal sphincter, a circular muscle, does not work properly.
In 10% of the cases in which patients suffer from hiatal hernia the also suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease while in almost all cases of GERD the patients show hiatal hernia.
Heartburn often occurs during the night or when bending over. Alcohol and smoking also aggravate the symptoms. Pregnancy often causes heartburn too.
Obesity also increases the risk of heartburn. If you have a lot of weight you should consider losing some of it in order to reduce the symptoms.
Stress is also a factor that should be considered. As with many diseases stress often worsens GERD and especially acid reflux. Try to calm down and work less, it will help a lot.
It’s often said that tight clothing around the stomach increases the pressure and thus leads to more acid backflow.
Fast and instant relief from occurring heartburn is given by Sodium bicarbonate or raw Sauerkraut.
If you suffer from chronic heartburn your doctor might suggest an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy to visualize the esophagus. Other diagnosis methods include pH monitoring of the esophagus or Esophageal motility study.
You should see a doctor when you notice any worsening of your heartburn and if it occurs not only occasionally. GERD should be taken seriously as it could lead to severe damages.
I hope you enjoyed reading and I really do hope that it helped to solve the question “What is heartburn”?