Heartburn, the burning sensation in the chest and throat that’s associated with stomach acid backing up, is triggered by stomach acid that has nowhere else to go. Common triggers include carbonated drinks (although alcoholic beverages are not the only culprit), certain foods (such as garlic and onions), mucous from the mouth and some emotions such as anxiety or depression. Heartburn can occur at any time, but is most common after meals. It also occurs more often after people have gone to sleep. People who lie down immediately after eating are particularly at higher risk for heartburn because gravity assists the gastric acid back up into the esophagus.

Mild heartburn is quite common. But if you get more frequent and more intense heartburn, it could be an indication of a more serious chronic acid reflux disorder known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Heartburn which just feels like burning, a tightness in the chest, difficulty swallowing, pain or pressure behind the breastbone or chest can be the result of inflammation of the esophagus caused by stomach acid backing up. Heartburn which burns and feels like liquid is passing through the throat can be a sign of Barrett’s esophagus, a genetic condition which predisposes people to developing esophageal cancer.

Treatment of heartburn depends on how far along the condition has progressed. If the problem is only occasional, a variety of lifestyle and dietary changes can help ease the symptoms. In the case of Barrett’s esophagus, or GERD, dietary modifications, medications, and sometimes surgery may be recommended to remove the cause of the problem. And antacids may be recommended for those with occasional heartburn.

Chest discomfort is one of the first signs that heartburn is happening. The chest begins to burn or “bursts” with a mild to painful burning feeling. Sometimes the burning feeling can extend to the neck and jaw, resulting in pain or a sensation that something is stuck in the throat. Often a person will feel a burning feeling right after they’ve eaten a meal, but if this persists, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.

Frequent heartburn often results from acid reflux, which occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter – a band of muscular valve at the base of the stomach that holds back food and acid from the stomach – becomes damaged or weakened. This enlargement of the valve causes the stomach to release acid, thus causing heartburn and discomfort. It’s important to note that GERD is also accompanied by regurgitation, which means the material that’s pushed back up into the esophagus comes in the form of regurgitated acid. This can occur both inside and outside of the esophagus and can lead to damage and erosion of the esophageal lining.

Esophagitis, a condition that involves the inflammation of the esophageal lining, can also occur with heartburn. This occurs when stomach acids travel up into the mouth and into the pharynx. While this condition isn’t serious, it can lead to a buildup of scar tissue that may restrict the passage of food and prevent nutrients from reaching the stomach. People suffering from esophagitis or hiatal hernia will often experience symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty swallowing. If you experience any of these symptoms, speak with your doctor immediately.

Most of us have wondered what causes heartburn at some point in our lives. When the lower esophageal sphincter – a strip of muscle tissue that connects the esophagus to the stomach – is compromised, heartburn ensues. Gastric acid refluxes, or moves back up the esophagus, due to the weakening barrier. Certain foods, herbs, medicines, and even movements like coughing might trigger this movement.

If you have frequent heartburn, the sooner you start treating it, the greater your chances of keeping it from getting worse. Let’s start with some background information for those of you who are unfamiliar with what causes heartburn. For starters, a diet strong in fat, simple carbs, acidic foods, and processed foods might cause the LES to weaken. Once this occurs on a regular basis, stomach acids will be able to regurgitate into the esophagus.

Many people who get heartburn at least once a week should make an appointment with their doctor. Other lifestyle changes, such as excessive eating, might exacerbate this illness, so it’s critical that it’s detected as soon as possible. If you eat more than four normal meal servings each day, it’s also a good idea to see your doctor. After your doctor has checked for food allergies, sinus infections, or anatomical abnormalities in your upper gastrointestinal tract, you are likely to have GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which causes heartburn.

Many people who suffer with occasional heartburn can benefit from a change in their lifestyle. Changing your diet to include more fiber will lower your risk of developing GERD and heartburn. Antacids, such as those generated by H2 blockers, can relieve symptoms temporarily, but they do not solve the problem. Reduce the amount of antacids you take, or just take them when you feel like it. Changing your lifestyle can help you avoid heartburn and minimize the frequency with which it occurs.

If you have recurrent heartburn despite modifying your diet and removing items that may cause a burning feeling in your stomach, it may be worth undergoing a chest x-ray to rule out a possible heart condition. The symptoms of heartburn are easily mistaken for those of a heart attack or a severe arrhythmia. They can develop into a more serious problem if left addressed. If you want to reduce the risks of needing surgery to fix your problem, talk to your doctor about getting an ECG or electrocardiogram.

Heartburn symptoms can be embarrassing, and they can make it difficult to enjoy social events. They can also lead to long-term consequences like esophagitis, chronic bronchitis, and sleep apnea. Heartburn is a chronic problem for many people, which means they’ve had it for years without realizing it’s caused by a series of changes in their digestive system, not their heart. You can identify some triggers that can help you keep your symptoms under control by maintaining a detailed food record, noting the sorts of food ingested and when you’ve had a particular type of unpleasant attack. If you’re experiencing problems swallowing or are feeling chest pain while sleeping, you should contact your doctor right away to be sure there’s no underlying condition causing your discomfort.

What exactly is heartburn? Heartburn symptoms usually involve a burning sensation or pain behind the breastbone after eating. Heartburn is actually a condition that happens when gastric contents back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation. It’s also sometimes called heartburn and gastroesophageal refractory disease (GERD), although it’s important to note that these terms are not interchangeable. Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are three separate conditions.

There are many different types of heartburn symptoms that may occur. Common signs and symptoms include: heartburn usually takes place after a meal or at bedtime, heartburn symptoms can also be caused by other things such as the use of certain medications, stress, or even poor posture. For some people, heartburn symptoms don’t occur at all. In these cases, it may take some time before any discomfort is felt.

The best way to avoid heartburn symptoms is to stay away from the foods that cause this uncomfortable sensation. That being said, however, most people do experience occasional heartburn, especially if they consume large amounts of acidic foods or if they have certain types of sedentary lifestyles. There are a number of home remedies for heartburn symptoms that can be effective in combating this symptom. For instance, if you’re suffering with heartburn symptoms because you eat too much food, then chewing some gum may provide some relief.

Spicy foods can often make heartburn symptoms get worse. For this reason, people who frequently eat spicy foods (such as chili or curry) should try to limit their intake or eliminate spicy foods from their diets entirely. Some spices that are known to make heartburn symptoms worse include mustard seeds, black pepper, and cayenne. Eating small amounts of ginger and fresh garlic are also often helpful. If you find that these traditional spices aren’t enough to counteract the effects of spicy foods, then you may want to consider taking an herbal tea like Peppermint tea instead.

If you are suffering from heartburn and your stomach contents are sticking to your throat and in your mouth, then you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, which is essentially a condition in which your acid levels become too elevated in your stomach. For mild symptoms of this condition, you can simply lower the level of acid production by drinking more water, eating more fibrous foods, or using an antacid product such as Zantac or Tums. For more severe heartburn symptoms, you’ll likely require medical care. If you are suffering with gastroesophageal reflux, you should immediately stop consuming fatty foods and avoid spicy foods.

Heartburn, unlike the common acid indigestion, is not a life threatening condition. However, if you are experiencing chest pain or discomfort while swallowing, you should consult your physician. These symptoms can also be indicative of more serious conditions such as peptic ulcers or esophagitis, and should be looked into immediately. To prevent further complications, you should also stay away from certain foods that can irritate your throat, like peppermint, chocolate, and onions.