What may cause daily heart burn?

ISLAMABAD: The pain and burning of heartburn occur when stomach acid comes up from your stomach and into your esophagus. If it happens every day, this can be a serious condition that needs medical care.

Heartburn occurs when acids from the stomach irritate the esophagus, the back of the throat. This condition may cause discomfort, reflux, or other symptoms like bad breath or cough. Symptoms may worsen in the evenings, after meals, or when a person is lying down, bending over, or exercising.

Around 20% of people in Western countries experience regular heartburn or related issues. When these symptoms happen daily, they may be part of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

When you eat, the food goes to your esophagus and into your stomach. Once in the stomach, the food is broken down by stomach acids so it can move through the rest of your digestive tract. When too much acid is produced, it may move back into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

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Occasional heartburn may be typical. You can get it after specific foods or by eating too much at one time.

Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom Trusted Source of GERD. To be diagnosed with GERD, a person must experience heartburn only twice a week. If you experience heartburn most days, it may be time to see a doctor. GERD may lead to complications without treatment.

Some factors may increase your chances of experiencing GERD. For example, if your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is relaxed or damaged in some way, the acids from your stomach may more easily move backward into the esophagus.

Some people may have silent reflux, where they have reflux but no heartburn pain or other symptoms. This condition, also called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), may cause issues that mimic respiratory illness – chronic cough, sore throat, and postnasal drip.

That said, both GERD and LPR have similar complications and treatment options.

Treatment for heartburn includes lifestyle changes, like choosing different foods or eating meals at different times. There are also medications your doctor may prescribe to reduce your symptoms.

Without treatment, frequent heartburn caused by GERD may lead to more serious issues with the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract.