If you’ve felt a burning sensation or discomfort in the middle of your chest, especially after eating, you would know it is an unpleasant experience. Heartburn is a very common occurrence in people. Usually, it occurs more during the evening or when you’re lying down or bending over.

Heartburns occur occasionally and usually go away on their own. People can sometimes manage heartburn symptoms with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. However, if and when heartburn persists, it could indicate the onset of a severe medical condition that requires urgent medical attention.

This article will focus on the possible causes of frequent heartburn and when to see a doctor. You want to keep reading to find out.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as chronic acid reflux, is the most common and severe condition associated with persistent heartburn. It is a prolonged condition caused by the movement of some of the acid content in the stomach to the esophagus, a tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. Typically, the stomach’s content should not go up into the esophagus. However, if the valve in your lower esophagus does not close up entirely after food gets to your stomach, there could be reflux.

GERD can be caused by several factors, some of which include:

  • Persistent vomiting
  • Straining of abdominal muscles, which could weaken the lower esophageal valve
  • Coughing
  • Regular consumption of fried or fatty food
  • Certain beverages
  • Eating large portions of food before going to sleep
  • Regular intake of medications like aspirin and antihistamines
  • Certain conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, old age
  • Diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis.

The symptoms of this disease go beyond frequent heartburn and indigestion. It could also present with:

  • Dysphagia – difficulty swallowing
  • Regurgitation – involuntary movement of ingested food from your esophagus back to your mouth
  • Chest pain
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty breathing at times
  • Persistent cough

On the other hand, Barrett’s esophagus is a serious complication of untreated GERD. It is also caused by acid damage to the esophagus’s inner cells over time. If left untreated, it could lead to cancer of the esophagus.

GERD can be treated without surgery. For most people, lifestyle modifications and medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) help.

7 Conditions Causing Heartburn-Like Discomfort

There are conditions, aside from gastroesophageal reflux disease, that present with heartburn as a symptom. Some of these conditions are:

Stomach Ulcer

Stomach ulcers occur when the acid in your stomach begins to erode the lining and form sores. Gastric acid is harmless, but when the thick mucous membrane protecting the inner wall of your stomach begins to wear off, it could lead to stomach ulcers.

Stomach ulcers can bleed and cause severe stomach pain. You might also experience other symptoms, such as bloating, nausea, constipation, and, most significantly, heartburn.

Esophageal Cancer

As the name implies, esophageal cancer refers to the growth of malignant cells anywhere along your esophagus. The cells lining the esophagus could begin to mutate until they form a tumor, affecting connecting body structures around the tube. Dysphagia, heartburn, indigestion, and coughing are early signs of esophageal cancer.

Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened solid materials consisting of concentrated bile deposited in your gallbladder, resulting in a condition known as cholelithiasis. These gallstones can be grainy, but they grow in size as the body produces more bile, and if they get to another part of the digestive tract, they could cause an infection or blockage. If you have gallstones, you might experience sharp and consistent pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdominal region, indigestion, heartburn, or jaundice.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus caused by infections, allergic reactions, acid reflux, medications, and autoimmune disorders. One of its early manifestations is heartburn, resulting in indigestion and difficulty swallowing. Esophagitis can be a severe condition and, if left untreated, can result in a perforated esophagus.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is delayed gastric emptying, where food spends more time in your stomach before moving to the bowel. Gastroparesis can occur due to impaired nerve signals to the muscles responsible for motility in your gut. Acid reflux is common in this condition, including bloating, abdominal cramps, increased vomiting, and lack of appetite. The long-term effect of gastroparesis is malnutrition and, sometimes, dehydration.

Hiatal Hernia

A hiatal hernia occurs when an opening in the diaphragm enlarges, leading to a part of your upper stomach bulging into your chest. A hiatal hernia can be due to trauma, injury, surgical complications, or age-related changes to the diaphragm muscles. Its most common symptom is heartburn and acid reflux due to the gastric contents back flowing to the chest. It also comes with chest pain, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Angina

Angina is mainly characterized by chest pain caused by decreased blood volume flowing to the heart. With a decrease in blood supply to the heart comes a reduction in the amount of oxygen to the cardiac muscles. Angina is majorly secondary to coronary artery disease. The resulting chest pain could have a burning sensation similar to heartburn or tightness in the chest area. Individuals who suffer from angina also experience fatigue, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

When to See a Doctor

Experiencing heartburn occasionally is usually harmless. However, if you experience it more than once a week, you should contact your doctor, especially when it is not meal-related. As we have discussed earlier, persistent heartburn can damage your esophagus or could be a symptom of a severe condition.

There are other signs that you should especially see a gastroenterologist for if you experience them along with frequent heartburns; they include:

  • Wheezing cough
  • Regurgitation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Difficulty swallowing

Gastroenterologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions in the digestive tract. We can help you manage heartburn symptoms and prevent the development of medical complications such as esophageal cancer. If you want relief from heartburn-like symptoms, you can request an appointment online or call our office at (806) 696-4440.