Understanding Heartburn

Heartburn is the most common gastrointestinal patients see their family physician for. It is frequently described as a painful or burning sensation located in the upper abdomen or behind the breast bone. It is caused by the spilling of the stomach contents back up into the esophagus. A small amount of spilling of stomach contents happens in all individuals, especially after meals. Only when symptoms become frequent or persistent and complications begin to occur is it a problem. Heartburn experienced twice weekly or more is considered Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Acid Reflux.

When the esophagus is exposed to acidic stomach contents repeatedly and for long periods of time inflammation of the esophagus can occur (reflux esophagitis) and may progress to erosion (erosive esophagitis) or esophageal strictures, causing intense pain and difficulty swallowing. Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart, but has received its name because of the location of the pain, just below the breastbone and because the pain can mimic a heart attack, sometimes radiating up into the neck, throat or jaw.