Heartburn is a burning pain or heat that begins in your chest, just behind your breastbone and rises upwards to the throat. It usually comes in waves and is in response to stomach acid rising up through a valve from the stomach into the oesophagus (food pipe). In most cases, the burning sensation or pain is due to stomach acid irritating the unprotected oesophagus.

The pain is often worse after eating in the evening, or when lying down or bending over, and can last for several hours or more Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.

Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a very serious condition that requires medical attention.



Symptoms

Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GORD – Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease. It might sound scary, but in most cases GORD is not a serious condition and is experienced by one in ten people every day. However, persistent episodes can damage the lining of the oesophagus.

Heartburn can be more common during pregnancy as the body changes hormonally and physically.

Symptoms of heartburn include:

A burning sensation in the chest or throat that usually occurs after eating
Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
A hot sour or salty tasting fluid in the back of your throat and difficulty swallowing.
Pressure behind the breastbone.
Feeling bloated.
Needing to burp
Feeling sick


 How heartburn and GERD occur


 Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your oesophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing the stomach acid to back up into your oesophagus. This can cause heartburn and other signs and symptoms. Frequent or constant reflux can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).



 It’s Causes

Heartburn and indigestion is very common. In most cases, it is caused by acid reflux, which is when the ring of muscle or valve (called the sphincter muscle) at the entrance to your stomach doesn’t close tightly, or relaxes too often, allowing acid from the stomach to travel out and up the oesophagus (food pipe).

Some people find they experience heartburn when they are stressed.
Being overweight means you can be more likely to suffer from heartburn because of increased pressure on your stomach, which can force open the valve after a meal.
Even tight clothing can do this.

Certain foods and drinks can trigger heartburn in some people, including:

Spicy foods
Chocolate
Onions
Large meals
Tomato products, such as ketchup
Fatty or fried foods
Citrus products
Peppermint
Alcohol, carbonated beverages, coffee or other caffeinated beverages
Being overweight or pregnant also can increase your risk of experiencing heartburn.


Complications

Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your routine is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD treatment may require prescription medications and, occasionally, surgery or other procedures. GERD can seriously damage your oesophagus or lead to pre-cancerous changes in the oesophagus called Barrett's oesophagus.



When to see a doctor

Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack.

Make an appointment with your doctor if;

Heartburn occurs more than twice a week.
Symptoms persist despite use of over-the-counter medications.
You have difficulty swallowing.
You have persistent nausea or vomiting.
You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating.
Pregnant women are only to take prescribed by the doctor.

Prevention

When stomach or chest pain is caused by heartburn, acid indigestion, or an ulcer, a few basic recommendations will probably help calm the pain and prevent it from returning.

Do not eat too much
Notice what foods or drinks make the pain worse and avoid them.
If the heartburn is worse at night when lying flat, try sleeping with the upper body somewhat raised.
Drink a lot of water.
Avoid tobacco
Take antacids but under your doctor’s prescription.


Read more: https://medhove.com/heartburn-its-causes-and-prevention/


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As part of diagnosis of ulcer, go to a medical laboratory and perform a test called H. Pylori antibody test. It tests for the presence of antibodies to the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori, and hence the presence of the organism in the stomach. This bacteria has been indicated as one the cause of gastric ulcer