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.