What medical condition does frequent heartburn indicate?
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breastbone, or in the upper abdomen, usually caused by acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, accompanied by a bitter taste in the throat or mouth. So, what diseases does heartburn indicate?
Heartburn symptoms often occur when overeating, eating late at night, or while bending over or lying down. Many studies show that about 90% of heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, other conditions such as gastritis, stomach ulcers, stomach cancer, gallstones, and cardiovascular disease can also cause heartburn.
Here are some causes of heartburn:
- Due to eating and lifestyle habits
Unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits are also causes of acid reflux, leading to heartburn.
- Due to eating too much fat or overeating: Overeating or consuming too much fat slows down the digestive process, causing food to remain in the stomach for longer periods, easily producing gas. Some of this gas is then expelled through the esophagus. This gas often contains stomach acid, and when it passes through the esophagus and throat, it causes a burning and uncomfortable sensation.
- Due to consuming carbonated drinks, alcohol, and spicy foods: Irritating foods such as carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, strong tea, peppermint tea, etc., can cause the stomach to produce more acid. In addition, digestive disorders, especially in people with a relaxed esophageal sphincter, allow excess gas and acid to easily rise into the esophagus, causing heartburn and a burning sensation in the throat.
- Due to side effects of the medication
Heartburn can occur if you have medical conditions that require medication. For example, medications like glucocorticoids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can thin the stomach lining, allowing gastric acid to come into contact with the stomach lining and stimulating the nerves that control stomach contractions. When stomach contractions are disrupted, food and acid can easily reflux into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, coughing, and sore throat.
In addition, heartburn can also be a symptom of several diseases, such as:
- Gastric ulcers
If you have stomach ulcers, it will impair the digestive function, increase abnormal gastric acid secretion, stimulate nerves, disrupt gastric motility, leading to reflux and causing persistent heartburn.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by a combination of factors such as: abnormally increased gastric acid secretion, impaired lower esophageal sphincter function, and impaired gastric motility. As a result, gastric acid refluxes into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and epigastric pain.
- Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction
If you have esophageal sphincter dysfunction, the lower esophageal sphincter will be weak or lose its tone and will not close completely after food enters the stomach, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
- Bowel motility disorders
During digestion, food moves through the digestive tract by rhythmic contractions called peristalsis. When peristalsis is disrupted, these contractions occur abnormally. As a result, food in the stomach does not move into the small intestine as quickly as usual. The combination of factors such as undigested food and increased pressure in the stomach due to slow emptying increases the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.
- Coronary artery disease
If a person has coronary artery disease, when they experience chest pain due to cardiovascular disease, nerve impulses become sensitive and easily stimulated, disrupting the digestive process in the stomach. Gastric acid is pushed up into the esophagus, causing the patient to frequently experience heartburn.
- Stomach cancer
If you have stomach cancer, your stomach will be unable to perform its digestive function properly, leading to many unpleasant symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion, bloating, etc.
Additionally, heartburn can also occur in pregnant women. Studies show that heartburn affects approximately 80% of pregnant women. This is due to hormonal changes combined with increased abdominal pressure from the growing fetus. High levels of progesterone reduce the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter and slow gastric motility, causing food to stagnate, producing gas and releasing stomach acid through the mouth, leading to heartburn during pregnancy.
In short:Heartburn is a common problem, and if it's caused by dietary or lifestyle habits, adjustments can reduce uncomfortable symptoms. Patients should avoid wearing tight clothing that puts pressure on the abdomen and lower esophageal sphincter. They should also avoid foods that easily trigger heartburn, such as spicy, greasy, fried foods, and fruits with high acid content like oranges, tangerines, and lemons.
Avoid lying down immediately after eating; engage in light activity or sit and rest after meals. Avoid eating late at night, eating before bed, or eating right before going to sleep. Maintain a healthy weight; being overweight puts pressure on the abdominal cavity, pushing the stomach upwards and causing reflux into the esophagus. For cases that do not improve and persist, seek medical attention for examination and treatment.
