What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn can feel like someone has lit a fire in your chest right behind your breast bone. It can be a symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your doctor, Dr. Parviz Gholami of Calabasas Advanced Gastroenterology, can help you diagnose and manage heartburn and acid reflux in Calabasas, CA.

Causes of Heartburn

Your esophagus is a tube that delivers food from your mouth to your stomach. The esophageal sphincter is located at the bottom of the esophagus where it connects to your stomach. The esophageal sphincter opens up to let food pass from your esophagus into your stomach and closes up to prevent your stomach contents from coming up.

In your stomach, strong acid aids the digestion process. If the esophageal sphincter fails to close properly, your stomach contents can enter into your esophagus. This is called acid reflux and is often the cause of heartburn. However, specific factors can trigger acid reflux. Factors that can result in heartburn include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hiatal hernia
• Diet
• Pregnancy
• Medication

When to See Your Doctor 

Sometimes, when you think you're having heartburn or acid reflux in Calabasas, CA, you might have other health conditions. Other health conditions such as gallstones, ulcers, and angina can cause pain in your chest too. Before concluding that the burning sensation in your chest is simply heartburn, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Frequent heartburn also requires medical attention. If you find that you're depending on over-the-counter medication to relieve heartburn symptoms more than twice each week, you should see your gastroenterologist.

Other heartburn symptoms that warrant a doctor's appointment include:

• Trouble breathing
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Back to shoulder pain
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Bloody stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting

Heartburn Treatment 

Over-the-counter antacids and acid blockers can help relieve your occasional heartburn and acid reflux problems. However, they're not meant for long-term treatment. Your doctor might place you on prescription medication such as proton pump inhibitors and prescription-strength acid blockers. Lifestyle and diet changes can improve your condition. Surgical treatment might become necessary if other therapies are unsuccessful.

If you're having heartburn or acid reflux in Calabasas, CA, schedule a consultation with your gastroenterologist, Dr. Gholami of Calabasas Advanced Gastroenterology today by calling (818) 696-8840.