• Online Scheduling | Careers

Turkey Creek Medical Center
  • Quick Links
    • Find a Doctor
    • Services
      • Services

        • View All Services
        • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
        • Cancer Care
        • Clinical Trials
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Digestive Health
        • Ear, Nose & Throat Care
        • Emergency Services
        • Heart Care
        • Neurology
        • Nutrition Services
        • Orthopedic Services
        • Pain Management
        • Rehabilitation Services
        • Respiratory Care
        • Sleep Medicine
        • Surgical Services
        • Urology
        • Vascular Medicine
        • Wellness Services
        • Women's Health
        • Wound Care
          • Patients & Visitors
            • For Patients

              • Patients & Visitors
              • DAISY Award Nominations
              • Directions
              • Events
              • Financial Information
              • Health Library
              • Online Scheduling
              • Patient Portal
              • Request Medical Records
              • Spiritual Care
                • Careers
                • Locations
                  • Hospitals
                  • Tennova Healthcare Network
                  • Other Locations
                  • Surgery Centers
                  • Tennova Medical Group
                • About
                  • About

                    • About Us
                    • Careers
                    • Community Benefits
                    • Contact Us
                    • Newsroom
                    • Quality & Safety
                    • Volunteer Opportunities
                      • tennova.com
                      • Tennova Healthcare Network
                        • Jefferson Memorial Hospital
                        • LaFollette Medical Center
                        • Newport Medical Center
                        • North Knoxville Medical Center
                        • Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville
                        • Turkey Creek Medical Center
                      • (865) 218-7011
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Bill Pay
                      • Events
                      • Contact
                      • analog clock icon
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        6 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      Home/Services/Digestive Health/Know the Signs
                      About Us
                      eNewsletter Redirect
                      Events
                      Events
                      Find a Doctor
                      Locations
                      Notice of Non-Discrimination
                      Patients & Visitors
                      Services
                      Bariatric Weight Loss Services
                      Meet The Providers
                      Online Seminar
                      Patient Resources
                      Patient Success Stories
                      Register for a Seminar
                      Weight Loss Options
                      Why Choose Us?
                      Cancer Care
                      Advanced Treatments
                      Cancer Surgery
                      Diagnostic Capabilities
                      Early Detection & Diagnosis
                      Medical Oncology
                      Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
                      Oncology Nurse Navigator
                      Patient Stories
                      Patient Support
                      Stereotactic Radiosurgery
                      Tennova Breast Care
                      Tennova Cancer Centers
                      Tennova Men's Health
                      Clinical Trials
                      Diagnostic Imaging
                      Biopsy
                      Bone Densitometry
                      Breast Imaging
                      Interventional Radiology
                      MRI
                      Digestive Health
                      Acid Reflux Relief
                      Colonoscopy
                      Endoscopy
                      Heartburn Care
                      Control Your Symptoms
                      Heartburn Surgery
                      Know the Signs
                      Ear, Nose & Throat Care
                      Sinus Care
                      Emergency Services
                      ER Wait Time
                      Heart Care
                      Cardiac Rehabilitation
                      Cardiovascular Diagnosis & Imaging
                      Clinical Trials
                      Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
                      Heart Attack Warning Signs
                      Heart Failure Care
                      Heart Rhythm Disorders
                      Interventional Cardiology
                      Open Heart Surgery
                      Patient Support
                      Patient Testimonials
                      Vascular Medicine
                      Women's Heart Care
                      Neurology
                      Diagnosis
                      Neurology Rehabilitation and Recovery
                      Treatment Overview
                      Nutrition Services
                      Orthopedic Services
                      Arthritis Care
                      Joint Replacement
                      Orthopedic Surgery
                      Patient Resources
                      Patient Testimonials
                      Physical & Occupational Therapy
                      Spine Care
                      Sports Medicine
                      Pain Management
                      Cooled Radiofrequency Treatment
                      Rehabilitation Services
                      Cardiac Rehabilitation
                      Occupational Therapy
                      Physical Therapy
                      Specialized Programs
                      Speech Therapy
                      Respiratory Care
                      Sleep Medicine
                      Surgical Services
                      Breast Cancer Surgery
                      Cardiothoracic - Thoracic Surgery
                      Colonoscopy
                      Colorectal Surgery
                      Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery
                      Endoscopy
                      Eye Surgery
                      Gynecological Surgery
                      Hand Surgery
                      Hernia Surgery
                      Laser Surgery
                      Neurosurgery
                      Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
                      Robotic Surgery
                      Thyroid / Parathyroid Surgery
                      Urological Surgery
                      Vascular Surgery
                      Urology
                      Prostate Cancer
                      Vascular Medicine
                      Wellness Services
                      Women's Health
                      Bone Health
                      Breast Imaging
                      Cancer Care
                      Gynecology
                      Wound Care
                      Hyperbaric Medicine (HBO)
                      • information
                      • news
                      • Avg ER Wait:
                        6 Min

                        About ER Wait Times
                      • Directions

                        Find Our Location
                      • Tennova Healthcare Hospitals Earn Top Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

                        05.19.2025

                      • Hospital Week May 11 -17 - Tennova Healthcare Celebrates Hospital Week Honoring Healthcare Employees

                        05.12.2025

                      • See All News & Press Releases
                      • Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

                        Featuring a monthly dose of information and inspiration for living well.

                        Learn More
                      • Mobile Device

                        Online Scheduling

                        Free, convenient online check-in services.

                        Learn More
                      • Nurse and Patient

                        Patient Portal

                        Access your medical information
                        on demand.

                        Learn More

                      Know The Signs


                      Heartburn causes a burning pain in the chest and can become more and more severe. It's important to know what causes heartburn to treat and prevent it.

                      Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It occurs when the esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle fibers between the stomach and the esophagus, relax or are too weak to tighten completely, allowing acid from the stomach to leak back into the esophagus.

                      The LES can be affected by many things including:

                      • Overeating
                      • Pressure on the stomach from pregnancy or obesity
                      • Highly-acidic, high-fat or oily foods
                      • Caffeine—often referred to as coffee heartburn
                      • Alcohol and tobacco
                      • Aspirin
                      • Stress and lack of sleep
                      • Abnormal muscle function in the stomach
                      • Asthma, diabetes and hiatal hernia

                      Understanding heartburn causes can help doctors determine the correct heartburn treatment for your condition.

                      Signs and Symptoms
                      Painful heartburn symptoms can occur when acid leaks from the stomach into the esophagus. Many sufferers say heartburn feels like a burning pain the chest underneath the chest bone. The pain can increase when bending over, laying flat or eating food—especially high fat, oily or acidic foods. Patients also report the pain being more acute at night.

                      When patients experience severe heartburn symptoms, the pain travels from the chest to the throat. As one of the gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD symptoms, frequent heartburn pain can indicate a serious condition that may be accompanied by nausea, chronic coughing, dental erosion, burping or belching and difficulty swallowing.

                      Many patients report heart attack-like symptoms because the signs of cardiac issues can mimic heartburn symptoms.

                      If believe you are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, please seek medical attention immediately.

                      Stages of Heartburn
                      Heartburn symptoms vary depending on the seriousness of the condition. It's important to know the differences between occasional heartburn and severe heartburn symptoms that can indicate a serious medical condition.

                      In the first stage, heartburn symptoms are mildly uncomfortable. It occurs infrequently — no more than once a week. Over-the-counter antacids or a change in diet can help relieve heartburn pain.

                      The second stage of heartburn is characterized by more severe heartburn symptoms. Burning beneath the breastbone is more acute and can become more frequent - between two or more times per week. In this stage, symptoms should subside with a strict diet and over-the-counter antacids, but sufferers may want to consult your physician or a specialist if heartburn symptoms becomes more frequent.

                      In the third stage, patients experience the most severe heartburn symptoms. It can be categorized as acid reflux attacks, triggering a burn sensation in your chest and throat as well as a sour taste in the mouth. This pain can be as frequent as every day. For heartburn symptoms of this magnitude, patients should seek medical help immediately. You could have a severe condition, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), causing damage, ulcers or even cancerous changes in your esophagus.

                      Conditions Related to Heartburn
                      The majority of patients, almost 90%, report experiencing nighttime heartburn symptoms. The pain can get so uncomfortable many people say it keeps them up at night. This specific timing for heartburn can indicate a more severe condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), It can be triggered by eating too soon before sleeping, drinking carbonated drinks and common prescription sleeping pills.

                      With minimal screening and tests, your physician can diagnose and treat nighttime heartburn. Treatments include a change in lifestyle habits, diet and even sleeping medication.

                      Heartburn is related to many conditions since heartburn is a symptom of an underlying condition, not a disease itself. Acid leaking from the stomach can damage the lining of the esophagus. This change can make it difficult to swallow or even become cancerous. Other symptoms of underlying problems that can coincide with heartburn include, dental problems, chronic cough and asthma.

                      For patients experiencing frequent or nighttime heartburn symptoms, physician specialists can help diagnose and treat your condition.

                      Related Articles

                      • Are Eggs Healthy? Unscrambling the Facts
                      • Breakfast Foods for Weight Loss
                      • Celiac Disease
                      All Health Library Articles

                      Turkey Creek Medical Center

                      • 10820 Parkside Dr
                      • Knoxville, TN 37934
                      • P: (865) 218-7011

                      • ADA Accessibility Policy
                      • Terms & Conditions
                      • Privacy Policy
                      • Change Your Privacy Choices
                      • Notice of Privacy Practices
                      • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
                      • Price Transparency

                      Copyright ©2025. All rights reserved.

                      An AllianceHealth Oklahoma® hospital

                      Services

                      • Bariatric Weight Loss Services
                      • Cancer Care
                      • Clinical Trials
                      • Diagnostic Imaging
                      • Digestive Health
                      • Ear, Nose & Throat Care
                      • Emergency Services
                      • Heart Care
                      • Neurology
                      • Nutrition Services
                      • Orthopedic Services
                      • Pain Management
                      • Rehabilitation Services
                      • Respiratory Care
                      • Sleep Medicine
                      • Surgical Services
                      • Urology
                      • Vascular Medicine
                      • Wellness Services
                      • Women's Health
                      • Wound Care

                      Patients & Visitors

                      • DAISY Award Nominations
                      • Directions
                      • Events
                      • Financial Information
                      • Health Library
                      • Online Scheduling
                      • Patient Portal
                      • Request Medical Records
                      • Spiritual Care

                      About Us

                      • Careers
                      • Community Benefits
                      • Contact Us
                      • Newsroom
                      • Quality & Safety
                      • Volunteer Opportunities

                      Notice of Nondiscrimination
                      • English,
                      • አማርኛ,
                      • العربية,
                      • বাংলা,
                      • ျမန္မာဘာသာ,
                      • tsalagi gawonihisdi,
                      • 繁體中文,
                      • Chahta,
                      • Oroomiffa,
                      • Nederlands,
                      • Français,
                      • Kreyòl Ayisyen,
                      • Deutsch,
                      • ગુજરાતી,
                      • हिंदी,
                      • Hmoob,
                      • Igbo asusu,
                      • Ilokano,
                      • Italiano,
                      • 日本語,
                      • 한국어,
                      • Ɓàsɔ́ɔ̀‑wùɖù‑po‑nyɔ̀,
                      • ພາສາລາວ,
                      • Kajin Ṃajōḷ,
                      • ខ្មែរ,
                      • Diné Bizaad,
                      • नेपाली,
                      • Deitsch,
                      • فارسی,
                      • Polski,
                      • Português,
                      • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
                      • Română,
                      • Русский,
                      • Gagana fa'a Sāmoa,
                      • Srpsko‑hrvatski,
                      • Español,
                      • ܣܘܼܪܸܬ݂,
                      • Tagalog,
                      • ภาษาไทย,
                      • Türkçe,
                      • Українська,
                      • اُردُو,
                      • Tiếng Việt,
                      • èdè Yorùbá,
                      • עִברִית
                      Loading... Loading...