Heartburn FAQs

Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow

• Heartburn FAQs Introduction
• Why does the acid back up into the esophagus?
• Do spicy foods cause heartburn?
• Why do I always get heartburn at night?
• Sometimes I get a sour taste in my mouth when I bend over--what is that?
• How common is heartburn?
• Is heartburn a serious condition?
• What kinds of complications are caused by frequent heartburn?
• If I have heartburn, should I see my health care provider?
• Aren't there any tests for heartburn?
• What is the treatment for heartburn?
• What are my options if these treatments don't work?
• When is surgery needed for heartburn?
• How can I prevent heartburn?
• What happens if I stop treatment?
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Heartburn FAQs Introduction

NOTE: The pain of heartburn can be confused with pain due to more serious heart problems, such as a heart attack. You need to be especially aware of this possibility if you or a family member has a history of heart disease. If you have chest pain accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or that gets worse with activity, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling of burning or warmth in the chest.

What causes heartburn?

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, heartburn is caused by too much stomach acid. Heartburn is sometimes called acid indigestion.

What is stomach acid?

Stomach acid is strong acid produced by the stomach to help digest the foods we eat. Normally the acid stays in the stomach. When the acid backs up into the esophagus, it burns and causes the uncomfortable sensation known as heartburn (the cause of heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Picture of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

What is the esophagus?

The esophagus is the muscular tube that stretches between the mouth and the stomach. All the foods you eat and the liquids you drink go down the esophagus into the stomach.

Why doesn't the acid burn my stomach?

The stomach has a special lining to protect it from the acid. The esophagus doesn't have this protection.