Heartburn

People can have heartburn occasionally, which is a simple condition that occurs due to specific irritants, and it doesn’t require concern despite its annoying symptoms.

Heartburn

Heartburn is when the stomach acid backwashes from the stomach into the esophagus, which causes the feeling of burning and pain in the middle of the chest.

Heartburn is very common worldwide, and it could occur at any age.

Causes and risk factors leading to heartburn

Heartburn occurs due to the acid backwash from the stomach into the esophagus, and this happens because, sometimes, the opening between the esophagus and the stomach doesn’t close completely after eating.

GERD is considered one of the most significant causes of heartburn.

Some factors that increase the risk of heartburn:

• Excessive pressure on the abdomen, such as wearing tight clothes and pregnancy.
• Obesity.
• Smoking.
• Eating a large meal.
• Eating an extremely high-fat meal.
• Fried, acidic, and spicy food, coffee, chocolate, mint, and alcohol.
• Hiatal hernia.
• Indigestion.
• Lying down immediately after eating.
• Some medications, such as contraceptives and high blood pressure drugs.
• Some problems in the esophagus might cause heartburn, such as esophageal ulcers and esophagitis.

Symptoms of heartburn

• Burning in the middle of the chest that might last from a few minutes to a few hours.
• Sour taste in the mouth.
• Burping.
• Food regression.
• Nausea.
• The symptoms worsen when lying down, bending over, and eating immediately before sleeping.

Heartburn might also lead to the following symptoms, especially when the acid reaches the throat:

• Chronic cough.
• Sore throat.
• Worsening asthma.
• Hiccups.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Stomach bloating.

Diagnosis of heartburn

• The condition is usually diagnosed by asking the patient about the symptoms.
• In some cases, the patient might need an endoscopy or other imaging tests.

Treatment of heartburn

Treatment is done by using antacid medications and changing the lifestyle, and that’s through:

• Avoid laying down immediately after eating.
• Don’t eat large meals.
• Avoid heartburn-irritating foods.
• Avoid smoking.
• Don’t apply extreme pressure to the abdomen, and avoid tight clothes.
• Sleep on your left side.
• Lose weight if needed.