Heartburn General Info

Heartburn (a.k.a. pyrosis) is a burning, often painful, sensation in the esophagus, typically just below the sternum and is a result of the regurgitation of gastric acid. Often, heartburn discomfort will travel to the next, throat or even the jaw. Heartburn is also identified as a cause for chronic cough and sometimes can even mimic asthma in terms of respiratory symptoms.

Heartburn

Heartburn, incidentally, has nothing to do with the heart. It is a misnomer resulting from the location of the pain (just behind the breastbone); however, there are heart problems that do cause similar sensations. It is also theorized that heartburn was given its name because symptoms are cause by problems with the cardiac sphincter (also nothing to do with the heart).

Heartburn is caused by an exposure of the lower esophagus to the acids found in the stomach. A healthy lower esophagael sphincter is supposed to contract and prevent this from happening, but for a number of reasons, this sphincter can relax.

Cause of heartburn is almost entirely diet-related (unless you suffer from GERD, gastroesophagael reflux disease). If sufferers of heartburn were asked, they could probably even list off their “trigger” foods: carbonated drinks, spicy foods, etc. The problem is rooted in the fact that people want to keep their current lifestyle and avoid heartburn. Physicians usually recommend elevating the head while sleeping and not eating before bed. However, antacids, water, and several over-the-counter medications can also be used to treat heartburn.

Heartburn is a non-fatal condition that is widely known as a source of discomfort and pain, and will likely have no cure. So if you want to reduce your heartburn, you likely will have to reduce some of the things you love.