What is Heartburn?
Causes, Definition, Risks and Treatment

What is Heartburn? Heartburn is the troublesome burning sensation in the throat and/or the chest area that is usually experienced during or after a meal. This occurs when refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, resulting in the inflammation of the esophagus.

Occasional heartburn is common, and does not necessarily mean that you have any medical impairment. Only persistent heartburn is considered a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or acid reflux disease - a painful and debilitating medical condition, which is extremely common among inhabitants of western countries.

Read more about Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.

Heartburn is not the only symptom of GERD. Other common GERD symptoms include regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, dry cough, severe chest pain, asthma attacks and more.

Read more about GERD symptoms.

Untreated and neglected GERD can cause significant suffering and even lead to serious complications. Recent medical studies linked gastroesophageal reflux disease to esophageal cancer. That is why acid reflux must be treated in a timely and effective manner.

In order to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease effectively, the underlying causes of this medical condition must first and foremost be tackled. Besides the genetic tendency to develop heartburn that cannot be altered or controlled, there are numerous factors and co-factors, such as certain dietary patterns, inadequate sleep, excessive stress, toxic overload, Candida infections among several other factors that directly or indirectly contribute to acid reflux.

Read more about Acid Reflux Causes.

Basically, there are 3 main categories of treatments that are available for heartburn sufferers. The first category includes prescription medications and Over-the-Counters. The most popular drugs for acid reflux are antacids, PPIs and H2 blockers. Those medications are aimed at relieving gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms by suppressing or neutralizing the excess acidity in the stomach. Unfortunately, these medications can help only in the short run, and carry a myriad of side effects.

Read more about Acid Reflux Medications and their related side effects.

The second category is acid reflux surgery. This procedure is aimed at strengthening the LES muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach and normally prevents gastric acids from leaking back into the esophagus (in the case of GERD, this muscle is usually weakened and does not close properly, so that acids can reflux and damage the lining of the esophagus). However this surgery has some significant downsides. First, as with every intrusive surgery, it has the potential to result in health complications. Secondly, this surgery tackles the physical cause of heartburn (the weakening of the LES) while neglecting the underlying factors, discussed above, that contribute to this condition in the first place. 

Read more about Acid Reflux Surgery its risks and complications.