Heartburn

This article is about the medical condition. For other uses, see Heartburn (disambiguation).
"Cardialgia" redirects here. For the meaning "pain in or near the heart", see Heart pain and Chest pain.

Heartburn
Other namesPyrosis,[1] cardialgia
SpecialtyGastroenterology, family medicine, emergency medicine
SymptomsBurning, stabbing, or squeezing sensation in the chest, nausea, belching
CausesGastroesophageal reflux disease
Risk factorsSmoking, obesity
Diagnostic methodPhysical examination, medical history, antacid response, imaging, manometry
Differential diagnosisChest pain, myocardial infarction, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, esophageal spasms, esophageal strictures, duodenitis, cancer, Crohn's disease
PreventionAvoid foods that are high in fats, spicy, high in artificial flavors. Avoid reclining 3–4 hours after a meal, heavy NSAID use, heavy alcohol consumption. Decrease peppermint consumption. Chew foods thoroughly between bites, consume meals with plenty of liquid, and ensure adequate time to eat meals in a non-hurried fashion
TreatmentAntacids, weight loss, surgery
MedicationAntacids

Heartburn, also known as pyrosis, cardialgia or acid indigestion,[2] is a burning sensation in the central chest or upper central abdomen.[3][4][5] Heartburn is usually due to regurgitation of gastric acid (gastric reflux) into the esophagus. It is the major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).[6]

Other common descriptors for heartburn (besides burning) are belching, nausea, squeezing, stabbing, or a sensation of pressure on the chest. The pain often rises in the chest (directly behind the breastbone) and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the arm. Because the chest houses other important organs besides the esophagus (including the heart and lungs), not all symptoms related to heartburn are esophageal in nature.[7]

The cause will vary depending on one's family and medical history, genetics, if a person is pregnant or lactating, and age. As a result, the diagnosis will vary depending on the suspected organ and the inciting disease process. Work-up will vary depending on the clinical suspicion of the provider seeing the patient, but generally includes endoscopy and a trial of antacids to assess for relief.[citation needed]

Treatment for heartburn may include medications and dietary changes.[3] Medication include antacids. Dietary changes may require avoiding foods that are high in fats, spicy, high in artificial flavors, heavily reducing NSAID use, avoiding heavy alcohol consumption, and decreasing peppermint consumption.[3] Lifestyle changes may help such as reducing weight.

  1. ^ "Pyrosis definition - MedicineNet - Health and Medical Information Produced by Doctors". MedicineNet. Archived from the original on 23 January 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults". The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Archived from the original on 2015-07-25. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  3. ^ a b c "heartburn" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  4. ^ Differential diagnosis in primary care. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2008. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-7817-6812-2.
  5. ^ "Pyrosis Medical Definition - Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary". merriam-webster.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Heartburn". National Library of Medicine. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  7. ^ Johnson K, Ghassemzadeh S (2024). "Chest Pain". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 29262011. Retrieved 2024-04-28.