It’s never a comfortable feeling. One minute you’re feeling fine, and then the next, your mouth tastes sour, and your chest is burning. Heartburn symptoms can range from mild to incredibly uncomfortable. There are several symptoms involved in heartburn and just as many causes. We’re digging deep into the burn to help you understand and avoid it whenever possible.
Heartburn is an uncomfortable, often burning feeling in your chest behind your breastbone. It can sometimes move up into your throat or even into your nose. It is usually a symptom of an underlying condition such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also common to experience heartburn during pregnancy. Along with a burning sensation, you may experience a sour or acidic taste in the back of your throat. It is usually brought on by something you’ve eaten or by laying down soon after finishing a meal.
Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach escapes into the esophagus. The stomach is equipped to handle the digestive juices, but the esophagus is made of much more vulnerable tissue. This causes a burning sensation when stomach acid comes in contact with it.
There are several different ways that stomach acid can escape from the stomach. As mentioned above, GERD and acid reflux are two known conditions that can result in heartburn. Acid reflux is when the muscular flap between your esophagus and your stomach, called the esophageal sphincter, relaxes when it’s not supposed to. When this occurs, stomach acid can sneak past the flap and into your esophagus. Another cause of heartburn is a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach bulges through an opening in the diaphragm and into the chest cavity, allowing stomach acid to escape.
If you’re suffering from heartburn, you’ll want to discuss options with your doctor. Many lifestyle changes and home remedies can correct heartburn symptoms, but some cases may require medication. Things you can do at home are:
Heartburn may seem like a common symptom, but its effects can significantly impact your daily life. Talk to our team of experts at Digestive Diseases Center to learn how we can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
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