Heartburn

• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• esophageal spasm
• drugs such as aspirin or NSAIDs

Note: There may be other causes of heartburn. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for heartburn, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Consult a health care provider about discontinuing medications that cause heartburn (such as sedatives, calcium channel blockers - oral, and anticholinergics). NEVER CHANGE MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

Avoid coffee , alcohol, tobacco, large meals, and citrus fruits. Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours prior to bedtime. Avoid tight fitting clothing.

Elevate the head of the bed 4 to 6 inches. Lose weight if needed. (Talk with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program.)

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• there is vomiting of black, coffee ground-like, or bloody material.
• the stools are black in color (like tar).
• the problem becomes frequent or is prolonged.

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting heartburn in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did it begin?
  • How long did it last?
  • Is this the first time you have had heartburn?

• diet information
  • What is your usual diet like?
  • Do you drink excessive amounts of coffee ?
  • Do you drink alcohol?
  • Have you recently eaten a spicy meal?

• other aggravating factors
  • Do you smoke?
  • Do you wear clothing that is tight in the chest or abdomen?
  • Are you overweight ?

• radiation
  • Does the pain also appear in the chest, jaw, arm, or elsewhere?

• other
  • What medications are being taken?
  • Are you vomiting blood ?
  • Are you vomiting a coffee ground-like or black material?
  • Is there blood in the stools ?
  • Are there black, tarry stools ?
  • Are there other symptoms accompanying the heartburn?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• barium swallow or upper GI series
• esophageal motility and acidity lab studies
• esophagoscopy

Intervention:
Medications to reduce acid secretion may be prescribed. Any sign of bleeding will require a more involved approach to therapy.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to heartburn to your personal medical record.


This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.