Heartburn – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Heartburn causes a burning feeling in the chest behind the breastbone. This discomfort often gets worse after meals, at night, or when you lie down or bend over.

Many people experience occasional heartburn, which is usually not serious. You can often manage mild heartburn symptoms through lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter medicines.

However, frequent heartburn that disrupts your daily activities might indicate a more serious condition requiring professional medical attention.

Signs of Heartburn

Heartburn causes a few key symptoms. You may feel a burning pain in your chest after meals, which might get worse at night.

When you lie down or bend over, this pain often gets worse. You might also notice a sour or bitter taste in your mouth.

Additional Details

• The burning feeling typically happens behind your breastbone
• Some people describe it as a “hot, painful feeling”
• The discomfort can last from a few minutes to several hours
• Symptoms often appear after large or spicy meals
• Tight clothing can sometimes make symptoms worse

When to See a Doctor

Chest pain could signal a heart attack. Get emergency help right away if you have severe chest pain, especially with arm or jaw pain, or trouble breathing.

Call your doctor if:

• You get heartburn more than twice weekly
• Over-the-counter medicines don’t help your symptoms
• You have trouble swallowing
• You feel nauseated or vomit often
• You’re losing weight because you can’t eat normally

Don’t ignore these warning signs. Getting medical care early can prevent more serious health problems.

Why Heartburn and GERD Happen

Heartburn happens when acid from your stomach moves up into your food pipe (esophagus). When you swallow food, a muscle ring at the bottom of your esophagus opens to allow it into your stomach.

This muscle ring should contract firmly once food has passed through. If this muscle doesn’t work correctly, stomach acid can flow backward into your esophagus.

This backward flow is called acid reflux. The pain worsens when you bend over or lie down because these positions allow acid to rise more easily.

The muscle ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter. When it weakens or relaxes at the wrong time, you feel the burning sensation of heartburn.

More Information

• Regular acid reflux that happens more than twice a week may develop into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Other factors that can make heartburn worse include:
  • Eating large meals
  • Eating certain foods, like spicy or fatty items
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Pregnancy
  • Some medications

Risk Factors

Several factors can trigger heartburn episodes in individuals:

• Food triggers: Spicy foods, onions, citrus fruits, tomato-based products
• Dietary choices: Fatty or fried foods, chocolate, peppermint
• Beverages: Alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, and caffeinated beverages

Physical factors that increase heartburn risk include being overweight and pregnancy. Consuming large meals or eating fatty foods can also worsen symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Health Risks

If heartburn happens often and gets in the way of daily life, doctors call it GERD. GERD can cause serious harm to your esophagus when left untreated.

In some cases, you might need prescription medicine instead of over-the-counter options. Surgery could also be necessary in certain situations.

One dangerous complication is Barrett’s esophagus, where cells in the esophagus change and may become cancerous over time. Healthcare providers need to monitor this condition carefully.