Heartburn

Definition

Alternative Names

Causes

Almost everyone has occasional heartburn. If you have frequent, ongoing heartburn, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Normally, when food or liquid enters your stomach, a band of muscle at the end of your esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES) closes off the esophagus. If this muscle fails to close tightly enough, stomach contents can back up (reflux) into the esophagus. This partially digested material is usually acidic and can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

Sometimes GERD is related to a hiatal hernia. This is when part of the stomach protrudes upward through a hole in the diaphragm, putting pressure on the LES. Heartburn can also be a side effect of many different medications.

Such drugs include:

• Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
• Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis
• Progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control
• Anticholinergics (e.g., for sea sickness)
• Aspirin or ibuprofen
• Certain bronchodilators for asthma
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Dopamine for Parkinson's disease
• Sedatives for insomnia or anxiety
• Beta blockers for high blood pressure or heart disease

If you suspect that one of your medications may be causing heartburn, talk to your doctor. NEVER change or stop medication you take regularly without talking to your doctor. If you take an occasional aspirin or ibuprofen for headache or mild pain, try acetaminophen instead.

Heartburn can also be caused by esophageal spasm.