Heart Burn (GERD)
Heartburn Basics
Heartburn is the most
common symptom of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux.
Heartburn occurs when acid
or other stomach contents back up in the esophagus.
While heartburn is rarely
life-threatening, it can greatly reduce your quality of life by
affecting your daily activities, your sleep and what you eat.
Heartburn can typically be
controlled through behavior modification and over-the-counter
medication, but if symptoms persist or worsen, a
gastroenterologist should be consulted for additional tests and
to rule out more serious conditions.
The muscle (lower
esophageal sphincter) located between the esophagus and stomach
normally opens after swallowing. This allows food to pass into
the stomach. This lower esophageal sphincter muscle then closes
quickly to prevent the return (reflux) of food and stomach
juices back into the esophagus.
When the lower esophageal
sphincter muscle either relaxes inappropriately or is very weak,
the acid contents of the stomach can back up, or reflux, into
the esophagus. This is called gastro-esophageal reflux and
typically produces heartburn, a burning sensation below the
sternum where your ribs come together. In addition to heartburn,
symptoms may include a persistent sore throat, hoarseness,
chronic cough, asthma, heart-like chest pain and a feeling of a
lump in the throat. When the acid contents from the stomach
regularly back up into the esophagus, chronic GERD can occur.
Several factors influence
the occurrence and severity of gastroesophageal reflux and
heartburn, including:
·
The ability of the lower
gastroesophageal sphincter muscle to open and close properly.
·
The type and amount of
stomach juices that are backed up into the esophagus.
·
The clearing action of
the esophagus.
·
The neutralizing effect
of saliva and other factors.
People experience GERD and
heartburn in a variety of ways. Heartburn usually begins as a
burning pain that starts behind the breastbone and radiates
upward to the neck. Often there is a sensation of food coming
back into the mouth, accompanied by an acid or bitter taste.
Heartburn is sometimes called acid indigestion and usually
occurs after meals.