Here are a few common causes and symptoms of heartburn
Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux, a condition where some of the ingested food along with stomach acid is pushed back into the esophagus, causing a burning pain in the lower region of the chest. Surprisingly about 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day, according to the American College of Gastroenterology estimates. As it’s a common occurrence, heartburn treatment is the need of the hour for many Americans.
Causes of heartburn
Occasional heartburn is common. Neither does it cause any significant health concern, nor does it require extensive heartburn treatment. But persistent heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or GORD) can be a sign of an underlying health issue. The main causes of heartburn are:
- Food habits including overeating
- Certain food items like acidic food/juices, caffeine, and chocolate
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking, as it affects the functioning of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing it to relax and allow acid to reflux
- Obesity, as it causes pressure in the abdomen due to the accumulation of fat molecules, thereby causing acid reflux and in turn, heartburn
- Pregnancy, as it leads to abdomen pressure
- Certain medications like Aspirin
Symptoms of heartburn
Understanding the causes is the first step for a proper heartburn treatment; the next step is recognizing the symptoms to help you build a proper path to recovery. Some of the common symptoms of heartburn include the following:
- Heat in the chest and throat area due to acid reflux
- Burning sensations in the chest, mostly in the middle region
- Foul and unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Uncomfortable pain rising from the chest to the neck region
- A weird burning sensation in the ear
Heartburn treatment can be fairly simple and can be cured with natural remedies. But the best way would be to maintain a healthy diet and keep away from certain things like alcohol and smoking. Medications such as antacids can also work as effective treatments. However, it would be advisable to talk to your doctor before starting any drugs.
