INTRODUCTION: Heartburn is a digestive problem that happens when stomach acid comes into contact with the lining of the esophagus, producing irritation. It has nothing to do with the heart though the irritation may be confused with heart pain and vice versa and is the most frequent symptom of a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. It is often called acid indigestion and usually happens after meals and is a daily occurrence for approximately 10% of Americans and as much as 50% of pregnant women.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms of acid indigestion and a heart attack may feel the same. One of the most common symptoms is spitting up. Heartburn symptoms are just flat-out uncomfortable and quite painful. However, many people will only experience the milder symptoms. Pay attention and treat it, especially if you feel symptoms often.

The good news is that making changes to certain habits will go a long way to stopping acid indigestion and other symptoms of GERD.

Heartburn is usually easy to diagnose from the symptoms you describe to your doctor. If there is any question about the diagnosis, you may have the following tests to check for ulcers or other problems that might cause your symptoms: barium swallow x-ray study of the esophagus, complete upper GI (gastrointestinal) barium x-ray study of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine endoscopy: a procedure in which a thin flexible tube with a tiny camera is placed in your mouth and down into your stomach so your provider can see your esophagus and stomach.

To help decrease the signs you can try not to put a lot of pressure on the sphincter muscle. Seek emergency treatment if the following occurs with the heartburn and do not go away within fifteen minutes of treatment: shortness of breath; sweating; weakness; or arm, back, or chest pain.

FOODS: To minimize attacks, a sufferer can find benefit in avoiding certain foods that relax the opening between the stomach and esophagus, such as chocolate, peppermint, and chamomile tea shortly before going to bed.

Restricting diet is very important, since 90-95% of sufferers of heartburn or esophageal disorder can link their symptoms to specific foods. If the person finds that certain foods tend to make the condition worse, or more frequent, they would be better served to avoid them, or at least talk to the doctor about products that can help reduce the amount of stomach acid that can cause acid reflux.

CONCLUSION: Heartburn usually is cause by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the rise of stomach acid back up into the esophagus. Acid indigestion and reflux are very common, with 10% of the population experiencing these symptoms at least 1 time per week and can be brought on or worsened by pregnancy and by many different drugs.

It is common condition, and an occasional episode is generally nothing to worry about. Relief in the form of milk can be effective and drinking a small amount of milk regularly over a period of time can start to heal the effects as it washes acid back into the stomach.

An easy and relatively harmless way to treat a 1 time heartburn is to drink a solution of a small quantity of Sodium bicarbonate mixed with water, which rapidly neutralizes the acid that produces the pain.

Chewing gum can produce a short-term relief by stimulating the creation of saliva, which dilutes and flushes out stomach acid. When heartburn occurs often, however, or becomes severe, you should see your MD.