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Symptoms » Heartburn

Symptom: Heartburn



Contents: Heartburn

Introduction: Heartburn

Reflux refers to the stomach acid rising up the "wrong way" back up the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth. Pain from reflux is called heartburn. Chronic reflux that reoccurs or persists may be caused by GERD. Heartburn needs to be distinguished from other potentially very serious causes of chest pain including heart attack.

» Review Causes of Heartburn: full list

Causes of Heartburn:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Heartburn. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

See full list of 56 causes of Heartburn

» Review Causes of Heartburn: full list

Causes of Types of Heartburn:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Heartburn:

More types of Heartburn

Heartburn: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Heartburn, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

See full list of 705 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Heartburn

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Heartburn

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Heartburn:

Diagnostic Guides for Heartburn

12 MEDICAL SYMPTOM BOOKS: FULL TEXT ONLINE! Read the full text of published book sections related to Heartburn from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Heartburn. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Heartburn

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Full text. Free access (no registration).

HEARTBURN

  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs"

Heartburn

  • "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms"

HEARTBURN

  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care"

Dyspepsia

  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)"

Dyspepsia

  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)"

dysphagia/Heartburn

  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis"

Dyspepsia

  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses"

Dyspepsia

  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms"

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Heartburn

Heart attacks can be undiagnosed: Although the most severe symptoms of heart attack are hard to miss, there are varying degrees of severity. It is altogether too common for people to die from...more »

Heart attacks can be overdiagnosed: Although many people die from heart attacks, there are also many cases where people fear that they have a heart attack, but actually have something milder. Some of the...more »

Heart attack can be over-diagnosed: Although heart attack is often undiagnosed, leading to fatality, it can also be over-diagnosed. People become concerned that a condition is a heart attack,...more »

Chronic digestive diseases hard to diagnose: There is an inherent difficulty in diagnosing the various types of chronic digestive diseases. Some of the better known possibilities are peptic ulcer, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome,...more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Heartburn

Diagnostic tests for Heartburn:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Heartburn. Some of these are listed below :

  • Physical examination
    • Look for evidence of anemia - e.g. pale skin and conjunctiva - may suggest chronic oesophagitis, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer or stomach cancer.
    • Look for evidence of jaundice - e.g. yellow skin and sclera of eyes - may suggest gallstones that pass into common bile duct or cancer of the pancreas.
    • Abdominal examination for tenderness - e.g. tenderness in epigastric area (midline below ribs) may suggest peptic ulceration; tenderness over the right upper abdomen may suggest gall bladder disease.
    • Abdominal examination for mass - e.g. epigastric mass may suggest stomach cancer.

See full list of 27 diagnostic tests for Heartburn

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Heartburn. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

  • How long have you had heartburn? - to determine if acute or chronic.
  • What exactly do you mean by heartburn? - typically heartburn is a burning discomfort behind the sternum (breastbone) that radiates to the throat, associated with acid reflux, aggravated by heavy meals, swallowing hot and cold fluids, stooping, lying flat and lifting and straining, more likely to occur at rest than with exertion. Heartburn may be due to gastro-esophageal reflux, oesophagitis, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer, scleroderma, pregnancy, obesity, smoking and alcohol, caffeine and some medications.
  • Is there anything that makes the heartburn worse? - can help distinguish gastro-esophageal reflux (heartburn) from other causes of abdominal discomfort e.g. eating food may aggravate a gastric ulcer; eating fried or fatty foods will aggravate biliary disease, esophageal disorders and functional dyspepsia.
  • ( dyspepsia when no specific cause can be demonstrated); bending over will aggravate gastro-esophageal reflux; alcohol will aggravate gastro-esophageal reflux, oesophagitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer and pancreatitis
  • Is there anything you have found that makes the discomfort better? Gastro-esophageal reflux is usually relieved by antacids within several minutes

See Diagnosis Checklist for Heartburn (35 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Heartburn) may include:

  • Frequent acid regurgitation? - suggests gastro-esophageal reflux, hiatus hernia, gastritis or previous gastrectomy (surgical removal of stomach).
  • Waterbrash (excess secretion of saliva into the mouth)? - may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux, hiatus hernia or peptic ulcer.
  • Recurrent nausea and vomiting? - most likely diagnosis is gallstones, cholecystitis or chronic pancreatitis.
  • Vomiting of blood or recurrent back tarry stools (melena)? - should suggests peptic ulcer.
  • Pain on swallowing? - may suggest oesophagitis (especially if with hot and cold fluids) or stomach cancer.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Heartburn (35 listings)

Stories from Users for Heartburn

Real-life user stories relating to Heartburn:

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Heartburn or relevant symptoms:

Videos for Heartburn

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Angina

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Heartburn

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See full list of 13 related videos

Patient Surveys for Heartburn

Medications or substances causing Heartburn:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Heartburn as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

  • Diphenidol Hydrochloride
  • Vontrol
  • Cyclandelate
  • Cyclan
  • Cyclospasmol

See full list of 350 medications causing Heartburn

Drug interactions causing Heartburn:

When combined, certain drugs, medications, substances or toxins may react causing Heartburn as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

  • Alcohol and Advil (Ibuprofen) interaction
  • Alcohol and Motrin (Ibuprofen) interaction
  • Alcohol and Nuprin (Ibuprofen) interaction
  • Alcohol and Aleve (Naproxen) interaction
  • Alcohol and Naprosyn (Naproxen) interaction

See full list of 38 drug interactions causing Heartburn

Article Excerpts about Heartburn

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, and stomach contents splash back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a camera shutter between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, which can eventually lead to more serious health problems. (Source: excerpt from Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): NIDDK)

Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD. (Source: excerpt from Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): NIDDK)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, and stomach contents splash back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a camera shutter between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion. Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, which can eventually lead to more serious health problems. (Source: excerpt from Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): NIDDK)

Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD. (Source: excerpt from Heartburn, Hiatal Hernia, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): NIDDK)

Organs affected by Heartburn:

The list of organs typically affected by Heartburn may include, but is not limited to:

Detailed list of causes of Heartburn

The list below shows some of the causes of Heartburn mentioned in various sources:

See full list of 56 causes of Heartburn

How Common are these Causes of Heartburn?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Heartburn. Of the 56 causes of Heartburn that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

  • 2 causes are "very common" diseases
  • 6 causes are "common" diseases
  • 1 causes are "uncommon" diseases
  • 1 causes are "rare" diseases
  • 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
  • 48 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 56 causes of Heartburn

Conditions listing symptoms: Heartburn:

The following list of conditions have 'Heartburn' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

A

  • Ankylostomiasis ... epigastric pain
  • Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency ... gastroesophageal reflux

    B

  • Barrett syndrome ... heartburn
  • Barrett's esophagus ... Heartburn
  • Brachmann-De Lange Syndrome ... gastroesophageal reflux

    C

  • Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Celiac artery stenosis from compression by median arcuate ligament of diaphragm ... epigastric pain
  • Chromosome 1p deletion syndrome ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Chromosome 22q deletion ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Chromosome 22q deletion syndrome ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Chromosome 9q deletion syndrome ... gastro-esophageal reflux
  • Copper toxicity ... epigastric pain
  • Crohn's disease of the esophagus ... epigastric pain, heartburn, heartburn

    D

  • Diffuse systemic sclerosi ... heartburn

    E

  • Emanuel syndrome ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Esophagus Cancer ... heartburn

    F

  • Fascioliasis ... epigastric pain

    G

  • Gastric lymphoma ... epigastric pain
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ... acid regurgitation, persistent heartburn, heartburn, reflux
  • Glucosamine - adverse effects ... heartburn

    H

  • Heartburn ... reflux
  • Helicobacter pylori bacteria ... Epigastric pain, Heart burn
  • Hiatal hernia ... heartburn, reflux

    I

  • Indigestion ... heartburn

    J

  • Janbon syndrome ... epigastric pain

    M

  • Mediastinitis ... epigastric pain
  • Mental retardation, X-linked, Cantagrel type ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Microgastria short stature diabetes ... gastro-esophageal reflux
  • Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy syndrome ... gastroesophageal reflux

    N

  • Niacin toxicity ... heartburn

    P

  • Pylephlebitis ... epigastric pain

    R

  • Reflux ... acid regurgitation, Heartburn, reflux
  • REST syndrome ... heartburn

    S

  • Sandifer syndrome ... epigastric pain
  • Scleroderma ... heartburn
  • Short Bowel Syndrome ... heartburn
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes ... heartburn
  • Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome ... reflux
  • Spastic paraplegia 9, autosomal dominant ... gastroesophageal reflux
  • Stomach cancer ... heartburn
  • Strongyloidiasis ... epigastric pain

    W

  • Worster Drought syndrome ... Gastroesophageal reflux

    X

  • X-linked alpha thalassemia mental retardation syndrome (ATR-X) ... gastroesophageal reflux

    Z

  • Zieve syndrome ... epigastric pain
  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome ... Epigastric pain

    Conditions listing complications: Heartburn:

    The following list of conditions have 'Heartburn' or similar listed as a complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

    C

  • Congenital microgastria limb reduction defect ... gastroesophageal reflux

    H

  • Hiatal hernia ... heartburn, reflux

    R

  • Reflux ... heartburn

    S

  • Sjogren's Syndrome ... heartburn

    Join in at the forums

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    See a list of all the medical forums

    • Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Heartburn?

    Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Heartburn, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
    Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :

    Classifications of Heartburn:

    Subtypes of Heartburn:

    Acid regurgitation (2), Epigastric pain (14), Gastroesophageal reflux (14), Pyrosis

    Medical Conditions associated with Heartburn:

    Digestive symptoms (1873), Abdominal pain (702), Burning symptoms (129), Heart symptoms (1026), Pain (2679), Paresthesias (191), Abdominal symptoms (1251), Tingling (259), Nerve symptoms (3150), Common symptoms (4058)

    Symptoms related to Heartburn:

    Reflux, Chest pain (348), Throat pain (22), Taste symptoms (27)

    Heartburn as a disease:

    For a more detailed analysis of Heartburn as a disease, please see our Disease Center information for Heartburn.

    Medical articles on signs and symptoms:

    Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:

    These general medical articles may be of interest:

    Books Related to Heartburn

    See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

    Medical News summaries about Heartburn

    Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Heartburn and many other medical conditions:

    Related medical articles from our Disease Center for Heartburn:


    More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:

    Books Related to Heartburn


     » Next page: Causes of Heartburn

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