One of the medical terms for heartburn is reflux esophagitis. It is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the chest region. This is caused by the acid lurching up into the esophagus from the stomach. Normally, the esophageal valve at the lower end of the esophagus acts as a one-way valve, making way for the food from the mouth to enter the stomach. In some cases, however, the acid and food material from the stomach is regurgitated back to the esophagus, and this causes the burning sensation in the chest region commonly referred to as heartburn. Burning is experienced mainly because the esophagus does not have a protective lining similar to what the stomach has. Heartburn is not a disease in and of itself, but frequent heartburn is a symptom of some other serious disease. People suffering from hiatal hernia and the pregnant people, for instance, usually experience frequent heartburn episodes.
Occasional heartburn is of no danger and there is no need to worry about it. But if heartburn is very frequent, it should be treated immediately under the doctor’s supervision as this may lead to serious issues. There are various severe diseases that have frequent heartburn as a major symptom. Frequent heartburn that interferes with your daily routine is really dangerous, and it is highly recommended to consult a doctor immediately to avoid serious health-related troubles. Here we provide various conditions under which you should consult a doctor immediately to avoid complications.
- If you are experiencing heartburn more than twice a week
- If the symptoms persist for a long time even after certain medications and lifestyle changes
- If you experience difficulty in swallowing or if you are experiencing pain while swallowing
- If you experience black or bloody stools
- If you vomit with blood
- If you experience unintentional weight loss
- If shortness of breath also accompanies your heartburn
- If you are experiencing more pain during exertion
- If the pain radiates to your neck, head, and jaw
The above-mentioned may even be more dangerous if you are 50 years old and above, as older people are more prone to serious health-related issues. If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then it is highly recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Frequent heartburn may also result in esophageal cancer in some cases. Frequent heartburn may also be a sign of the pain of angina or a heart attack.
If you have occasional heartburn, then it can be cured with some medications. However, look out for the following signs:
- If you have been using over-the-counter antacids for a long time
- If despite heartburn medications, there is still no relief
- If you’re musing more than what is directed on the heartburn medication package
If the heartburn becomes more frequent and turns out to be a symptom of some other disease, then it cannot be cured by regular heartburn medications and a doctor should immediately be consulted.
