Heartburn is a feeling of discomfort and burning in the upper abdomen (pit of the stomach) and in the chest (more precisely, behind the sternum – along the esophagus). Heartburn is caused by acidic stomach contents entering the esophagus. For the stomach, an acidic environment is normal, it is a necessary component of the digestive process. But the esophagus is intended only for transporting food, and the ingress of acid from the stomach into it causes irritation of the mucous membrane.
Heartburn is often accompanied by belching and bloating (flatulence). There may be a feeling of nausea.
Heartburn appears, as a rule, after eating and can last for a considerable time – up to 2 hours or longer. Lying down and bending over can trigger or exacerbate heartburn.
In some cases, patients complain that heartburn makes swallowing difficult and interferes with sleep. In an asthmatic, heartburn can cause wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.