What Is Heartburn? Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Heartburn is most commonly described as a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone. It can sometimes be accompanied by an acidic or bitter taste in the mouth. Furthermore, heartburn pain can be severe immediately after eating, in the evening, or while bending over or lying down.

It’s important to note that a burning sensation in the chest once in a while is not unusual and can be managed through lifestyle changes. However, if heartburn occurs multiple times and interferes with one’s day-to-day life, it can be an indicator of a more serious health condition, requiring medical attention.

This article explores what is heartburn, by discussing heartburn reasons, symptoms, diagnosis, and heartburn solutions.

What are the Causes of Heartburn?

Heartburn means the burning sensation in the chest. It is typically a result of stomach contents backing up into the oesophagus, the tube carrying fluids and foods to the stomach from the mouth. This can happen when the lower oesophageal sphincter (the junction where the oesophagus connects with the stomach) is unable to close properly, leaving the passage open for reflux.

Other possible heartburn reasons include:

1. Pregnancy: Heartburn, especially during the third trimester, is common.
2. Hiatal Hernia: This is a condition wherein the upper part of the stomach penetrates the diaphragm through a weakness or tear
3. Medications: Medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin, sedatives, and blood pressure drugs can increase heartburn risk.
4. Obesity
   : Extra abdominal pressure due to tight clothing or excess body weight can cause heartburn.
5. Smoking: Inhaling smoke can be a heartburn reason.
6. Consumption of certain foods: Consuming certain foods such as chocolate, coffee, citrus fruits, mint, and carbonated drinks can increase the risk of heartburn.

Individuals suffering from the above-mentioned heartburn symptoms must seek medical attention promptly.

What are the Symptoms of Heartburn?

After learning heartburn reasons, it’s important to understand how to identify this condition to seek timely heartburn solutions. If heartburn is caused by acid reflux, the symptoms include:

1. A sour taste in the mouth
2. Burping
3. Regurgitation of food
4. Nausea
5. Stomach bloating
6. Chronic cough
7. Laryngitis
8. Hiccups
9. Difficulty swallowing
10. Worsening asthma
11. Chest pain

How is Heartburn Diagnosed?

Individuals wondering what to do for burning sensation in chest must consult a medical professional for timely heartburn solution. The medical professional can run the following tests to assess the health of the oesophagus:

1. Upper Endoscopy: This helps examine the organs from inside the body. A small camera on the end of a long tube is inserted to assess the upper GI tract, from the oesophagus, through the stomach, and into the small intestine.
2. Oesophageal pH Test: This pH monitoring test involves inserting a wireless capsule into the oesophagus to detect the pH level. This transmits readings to a receiver worn on the patient’s waist. The pH monitoring test is typically conducted over a period of time, with the data being collated at the end to reach a reliable test result.

Based on the above-mentioned tests and lifestyle enquiries, the medical professional can recommend heartburn solutions like antacids, alginates, H2 blockers, PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), and in extreme cases, surgery.

Heartburn is most commonly felt as a burning sensation in the chest. If this condition occurs multiple times and is aligned with the above-mentioned symptoms, individuals must seek medical attention to find a suitable heartburn solution. Furthermore, for reliable treatment, individuals can book a test
with Dr Lal PathLabs.

FAQs

1. What is heartburn?
   Heartburn is described as an extreme burning sensation in the chest, felt behind the breastbone. It is most often a result of stomach acid reflux.
2. What foods trigger heartburn?
   Consuming high-fat foods, citrus juices, mint, spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, onions, caffeinated drinks and carbonated beverages are some foods that can be heartburn reasons.
3. What are the main causes of heartburn?
   The main cause of heartburn is the acid reflux caused in the oesophagus. This happens when the lower oesophageal sphincter (the junction where the oesophagus connects to the stomach) is unable to close completely, allowing stomach contents to flow back up the oesophagus.
4. What are the symptoms of heartburn?
   The symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation in the chest, an acidic or bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, burping, regurgitation of food, stomach bloating, chronic cough, hiccups, sore throat, laryngitis, worsening asthma, and difficulty swallowing.
5. What To Do for Burning Sensation in the Chest?
   In case of a burning sensation in the chest, seek medical attention for timely and reliable treatment.