Heartburn is the result of acid refluxing up from the stomach. A person with gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD can have both indigestion and heartburn as part of their symptoms. GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux that can potentially damage the esophagus.
But not all heart attacks result in the classic, crushing chest pain you see on television and in movies. If you experience frequent heartburn episodes, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your symptoms. Here are some examples:. For example, most pregnant women can resolve their symptoms taking medications like Tums, Rolaids, or Maalox. It contains aspirin, which can increase bleeding risks during pregnancy. While most people experience heartburn from time to time after a big meal or after eating certain foods, the symptom can resemble a lot of other conditions.
Otherwise, lifestyle changes, such as diet modifications and taking OTC medications, can usually relieve symptoms. Read this article in Spanish. Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that often occurs with a bitter taste in your throat or mouth. The symptoms of heartburn may get worse…. Heartburn is uncomfortable, producing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. It can also occur at inconvenient times, like when dining out with…. Both heartburn and indigestion have similar causes, and may be alleviated with similar lifestyle changes and OTC treatments.
But there are differences…. How do I know if I have heartburn? You've asked an important question. It is a burning sensation. You can feel it high in the abdomen, just below the bottom of the breastbone, or underneath the middle of the breastbone in the chest. In other words, despite the word "heart" in the word "heartburn," real heartburn comes not from the heart, but from the stomach and esophagus.
To continue reading this article, you must log in. Already a member? Login ». As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. More Information Heartburn or chest pain? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. How heartburn and GERD occur Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Acid reflux. American College of Gastroenterology. Accessed March 2, Feldman M, et al. Symptoms of esophageal disease.
Philadelphia, Pa. Kahrilas PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults. Warning signs of a heart attack. American Heart Association. Accessed March 8, Goldman L, et al. Your doctor may decide to order an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus if you've got long-standing heartburn, especially if you smoke or drink heavily, both of which are risk factors for esophageal cancer.
This test involves passing a tube with a light and a camera at one end down your throat into your esophagus.
During the test, your doctor can look for abnormal areas as well as collect tissue samples to test for cancer. Poor control of diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which can affect the workings of your digestive tract.
This is called gastroparesis, and it dramatically slows the movement of food through the stomach to the intestines. This can cause heartburn, as well as other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and feeling full right away after eating, the NIDDK explains. Treatment can include dietary changes such as eating smaller meals, avoiding fat and fiber, medications, and, for people with very severe symptoms, inserting a feeding tube or an implanted device that emits electrical pulses mimicking stomach contractions.
Esophagitis , or inflammation of the esophagus, can result from frequent acid reflux. This condition can in turn lead to more heartburn, as well as difficulty swallowing. The esophagus can also become inflamed from taking certain painkillers and osteoporosis medications , particularly if the pills are taken without water, allowing them to remain in the esophagus.
A third type of esophagitis, called eosinophilic esophagitis, occurs when white blood cells known as eosinophils invade the esophagus. The chronic condition is often allergy- and asthma-related, so treatment requires identifying and avoiding the offending foods with the help of a gastroenterologist or allergist. Inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity, known as pleuritis or pleurisy, can cause heartburn-like chest pain.
Pleuritis should be suspected "if the pain or burning gets worse when you take deep breaths or move around," Dr.
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