heartburn
Sign in to saveHeartburn is a burning sensation felt behind the breastbone. It is a symptom that is commonly linked to acid reflux and is often triggered by food. Lying down, bending, lifting, and performing certain exercises can exacerbate heartburn. Causes include acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), damage to the esophageal lining, bile acid, mechanical stimulation to the esophagus, and esophageal hypersensitivity. Heartburn affects 25% of the population at least once a month.
AI overview
Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone that commonly results from acid reflux and can be triggered or worsened by food, lying down, bending, or lifting. Because it affects a significant portion of the population regularly, understanding its causes—which range from acid reflux to esophageal damage—can help people manage this uncomfortable symptom.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Medical condition.name
- Heartburn
- Medical condition.synonyms
- Indigestion, sour stomach, acid regurgitation, bitter belching, cardalgia, cardialgy, and pyrosis
- Medical condition.image
- Heartburn.png
- Medical condition.alt
- Graphic visualizing the sensation of heartburn
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Definition and symptoms
- Differential diagnoses
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnostic approach
- Treatment
- Epidemiology
- History
- In pregnancy
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Works cited
- Further reading
- External links
Heartburn is a burning sensation felt behind the breastbone. It is a symptom that is commonly linked to acid reflux and is often triggered by food. Lying down, bending, lifting, and performing certain exercises can exacerbate heartburn. Causes include acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), damage to the esophageal lining, bile acid, mechanical stimulation to the esophagus, and esophageal hypersensitivity. Heartburn affects 25% of the population at least once a month.
Endoscopy and esophageal pH monitoring can be used to evaluate heartburn. Some causes of heartburn, such as GERD, may be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Potential differential diagnoses for heartburn include motility disorders, ulcers, inflammation of the esophagus, and medication side effects. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and avoiding fatty foods, can improve heartburn. Over-the-counter alginates or antacids can help with mild or occasional heartburn. Heartburn treatment primarily involves antisecretory medications like H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs).