Overview

Definition

You've just had a big meal - maybe a nice slab of steak. You settle down for sleep. Then you feel it, that burning sensation in your chest. That may be heartburn.

Contrary to its name, the condition has nothing to do with your heart. Chronic heartburn is the most common problem with the esophagus, which is the muscular tube that connects your stomach with your mouth. Chronic heartburn could mean you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly if the heartburn doesn't improve with lifestyle changes and comes back several times a week.

Heartburn is caused by stomach acids irritating the lower part of your esophagus. When you don't have GERD, these digestive substances stay in your stomach until they pass into your intestines. Heartburn happens when the valve at the top of your stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn't close. These acids then enter the esophagus, which does not have the resistant stomach lining that would protect it from these corrosive chemicals. This creates a type of chemical burn.

Prognosis

If you have chronic heartburn, you might be able to find relief by changing what you eat and drink and by changing other habits. If that doesn't work, you might have GERD, Barrett's esophagus, a peptic ulcer or cancer. But also remember that chest discomfort or burning, while it may be due to GERD, could also be due to heart disease, and it requires a medical evaluation. Don't guess at which of these conditions you might have. Ask your doctor for a diagnosis.

More on Heartburn

	GERD Burns Millions
	Esophageal Disorders
	Q&A: What to Do About Heartburn
	Heartburn Leaving You Sleepless?
	Was it the Hot Tamales You Ate?
	Is It a Heart Attack or Heartburn?

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.