What is that pepperish-burn in the chest ?

Heartburn

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We have all felt at some point in our life,a very discomforting burning sensation in the chest, a pepperish burn that might be relieved by taking water. it is called Heartburn, now a quick look at what heartburn is👇

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest. It is caused by stomach acid going back up the throat (acid reflux). If it persists, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Symptoms of acid reflux
The main symptoms of acid reflux are:
• heartburn: a burning sensation in the middle of the chest
• Unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth
• Cough of hiccups that keep coming back
• Hoarse voice
• Bad breath
• Bloating and nausea
Symptoms often worsen after eating, lying down and bending over.

Causes:
Heartburn usually occurs when stomach contents back up into the esophagus. The oesophagus is a tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Your esophagus is connected to your stomach at a junction known as the cardiac sphincter or lower esophageal sphincter. When the heart's sphincter is working properly, it closes as food leaves the esophagus and enters the stomach.

In some people, the sphincter muscle of the heart does not work properly or becomes weak.This causes the contents of the stomach to enter the esophagus. The esophaguscan be irritated by stomach acid and cause heartburn. This condition is called reflux.
Some common foods we eat and drink stimulate the increased secretion of gastric acid and prepare heartburn. Over-the-counter medications can also trigger heartburn.Examples of these irritants are:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Aspirin (Bayer, etc.)
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, etc.)
Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
Carbonated Drinks
Acidic Juices (Grapefruit, Orange, Pineapple)
Acidic Foods (tomatoes, grapefruit, and oranges)
Chocolate

Smoking and high-fat foods tend to impair the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing it to relax in the stomach and allowing acid to flow back into the esophagus.
A hiatal hernia, in which part of the stomach is in the chest rather than the abdomen, can impair the functioning of the LES and is a risk factor for reflux. Hiatal hernias themselves do not cause symptoms.Heartburn occurs only when the LES fails.
Pregnancy can cause increased pressure in the abdominal cavity and impair LES function and predispose to reflux.

Obesity can also cause increased abdominal pressure and thus reflux in the same way.

Primary esophageal disease may also present with heartburn as a symptom. These include, but are not limited to, scleroderma and sarcoidosis.

Diagnosis
Your doctor may run tests to determine how bad your heartburn is or if your esophagus is damaged. Heartburn is a common complaint, although it can be confused with other chest diseases including:
myocardial infarction,
pulmonary embolism,
carbonated beverages,
pneumonia, and
chest wall pain

Diagnosis begins with a a Complete history and physical examination. Most often, they provide enough information for the medical professional to make a diagnosis and start a treatment plan. If your heartburn is persistent, it can be a sign of a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your doctor can determine if GERD is causing heartburn from your symptoms. But to find out how serious it is, they can do several tests, including:

X-ray: You drink a solution called a barium suspension, which affects the lining of the upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract—the esophagus , stomach, and upper intestine thin.This coating allows doctors to spot defects that could indicate a problem with your digestive system.

Endoscopy: In this test, a gastroenterologist uses a flexible endoscope and fiber optic camera to view the lining of the esophagus and stomach. Swelling and ulcers can be detected. Biopsies and small pieces of tissue may be taken to look for cancerous or precancerous cells.

Ambulatory Acid Probe Test (Esophageal pH Monitoring) - An acid monitor that is placed in your esophagus and connected to a small computer that you can wear on a belt or shoulder strap.It measures when and for how long stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.

Esophageal motility testing (esophageal manometry): Less commonly, pressure sensors and acid testing from inside the esophagus can be used when conventional treatment has not validated the diagnosis or when symptoms are atypical to make the diagnosis. A catheter is inserted into the esophagus, and pressure and movement are measured.

Treatment
Treatment for heartburn is important because acid reflux can damage the esophagus over time. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to relieve heartburn symptoms. They can be divided into three main categories:

• Stomach acid neutralizing drugs: Known as antacids, these drugs provide quick relief by reducing the amount of stomach acid, but they do not help to heal existing damage to the esophagus or future heartburn to prevent episodes. Antacid brands include Mylanta, Eno, Quick Eze, and Gaviscon.

• Drugs that reduce gastric acid production: Known as H2-receptor blockers, eg. Grams. ranitidine and cimetidine, these drugs act more slowly than antacids but provide longer-term symptom relief.

• Drugs that block stomach acid production and help the oesophagus heal: Known as
proton pump inhibitors, eg. Omeprazole and lansoprazole, these drugs block the production of acid in the stomach and give the damaged oesophagus time to heal.
Surgery to strengthen the oesophagal sphincter may be an option when lifestyle changes and medication have not helped.

Prevention
The following lifestyle changes can help you avoid heartburn:
• Losing weight/maintaining a healthy weight - Being overweight puts pressure on the stomach and causes stomach acid to build up in the esophagus
• Quitting smoking: Smoking affects the normal function of the esophageal sphincter
• Diet control: avoid foods that trigger heartburn and reduce the amount of food
• Avoid lying down after a meal: wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or lying down Bed
• Raise the head of your bed by placing blocks under your feet at the head of your bed or by placing a wedge between your mattress and the bed so that your body is raised from the waist up.

The burning sensation that occur from heart burn ranges from mild-moderate to severe, thankfully this uncomfortable feeling can be prevented and countered but make sure to see your doctor for proper medical checkup to be sure it is heart burn and not somrthing else

Thanks for reading, sayonara🖐

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