What Is Heartburn?
Heartburn is an irritation of your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat and stomach. This leads to a burning discomfort in your upper belly or chest.
It’s caused by acid reflux, which is when your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle doesn’t close properly, letting stomach acids back up into your esophagus.
You’ve probably had heartburn, and it’s usually not serious.
If you have it often, you may have something else called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If you don’t get it treated, GERD can sometimes cause problems, like:
- Inflammation and ulcers in the esophagus
- Hoarseness
- Some types of lung disease
- Barrett’s esophagus (when your esophagus is damaged by acid reflux)
Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn feels like a burning sensation in the middle of your chest and throat. You may also have:
- Burning pain in your chest after you eat or at night
- Pain that worsens when you bend over or lie down
- A hot, acidic, bitter, or salty taste in the back of your throat
- A hard time swallowing
- A feeling of food “stuck” in the middle of your chest or throat
Heartburn vs. heart attack
Heartburn has nothing to do with a heart attack, except they both cause discomfort in your chest that can sometimes be severe. The biggest difference is a heart attack usually feels like tightening and pressure in your chest, while heartburn feels more like burning.
Heartburn vs. acid reflux
Acid reflux is the issue with your LES muscle that lets stomach acid back up into your esophagus. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux.
Heartburn vs. indigestion
Heartburn and indigestion are not the same. Indigestion is discomfort in your belly, especially after you eat. It also can be a symptom of other digestive problems.
How long does heartburn last?
For some people, heartburn might last only a few minutes, but for others it can last for several hours. Your symptoms should stop once the last thing you ate finishes digesting. When your stomach is empty, there are no acids to come back up your esophagus.
Heartburn Causes
Heartburn symptoms can start when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) valve at the bottom of your esophagus doesn’t close correctly.
It should stay closed to keep food and stomach acids in your stomach. When you’re eating, your LES opens so food can go into your stomach. Then it closes again. If it doesn’t close, even just a little, or if it opens when it shouldn’t, stomach acids can go back into your esophagus, causing heartburn pain.
We don’t know what causes the LES valve to weaken, but it could be caused by eating big meals too often, if you’re overweight, or you have a hiatal hernia (a hernia in your upper stomach that pushes through your diaphragm).
Heartburn risk factors
Certain foods can relax your LES or increase stomach acid, including:
- Tomatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Garlic and onions
- Chocolate
- Coffee or caffeinated products
- Alcohol
- Peppermint
- Foods high in fats and oils
You’re also more likely to get heartburn if you:
- Eat right before bedtime
- Smoke, vape, or use tobacco products
- Wear tight-fitting clothing or belts
- Lie down or bend over after eating
- Are stressed out
- Are pregnant
- Take certain medications, including some antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Are constipated
Credit: webmd.com
