Causes of Heartburn
What causes heartburn? Find out here!
Heartburn occurs when acid refluxes back into the esophagus. It can cause pain in the chest, throat, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and even face.
Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining caused by infection or irritation. This condition usually does not require treatment. However, if left untreated, gastritis can lead to more serious conditions such as ulcers and cancer.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a much more common problem than gastritis. It occurs when acid refluxed back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. If left untreated, GERD can lead to other complications, including esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.
Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
There are several different causes of heartburn. One of the most common causes is hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is a protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias occur when there is too little muscle between the stomach and the chest cavity. In addition to being painful, hiatal hernias can cause food to move backward into the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
GORD is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus causing discomfort. This condition is more likely to happen after meals and at night.
Esophagitis
If you suffer from heartburn, you might think that you have an ulcer or other digestive problem. However, heartburn is not caused by an ulcer. Instead, it is due to the flow of gastric juices back into the esophagus.
Barrett's esophagus
In some people, the cells lining the lower part of the esophagus become abnormal (called “Barrett’s esophagus”). This condition can lead to cancer.