Does heartburn represent a heart problem or a stomach problem? The doctor will tell you the real cause

What is heartburn? It is actually caused by excessive secretion of gastric acid or acid reflux behind the sternum. Or a burning sensation in the stomach. Because the discomfort is located close to the heart, people usually complain of heartburn. Many people may have experienced this symptom. Sometimes they wake up in the middle of the night, their stomachs growling with hunger, and their stomachs are burning. This is the feeling of heartburn. If you drink too much alcohol, you will also feel heartburn after vomiting. This is due to the reflux of gastric acid and bile into the esophagus, causing damage to the esophageal mucosa.

There are many causes of heartburn. Common factors include: 1. Dietary factors. When you eat too much and are too full, heartburn will occur. After a full meal, a large amount of food accumulates in the stomach, which increases the pressure in the stomach. Predisposes stomach acid to reflux. High-fat foods and high-sugar drinks can induce or aggravate gastric heartburn. This is because high-fat and high-sugar foods empty the stomach slowly and induce increased gastrointestinal hormone secretion, which relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, strong tea, chili peppers, and pickled foods can increase gastric acid secretion and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing the chance of gastric acid heartburn.

2. Obesity Obesity can weaken the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. In comparison, obese people are more likely to suffer from acid reflux and heartburn.

3. Functional heartburn: When there is excessive stress, high anxiety, emotional instability, staying up late, etc., the sensitivity of visceral nerves increases, functional indigestion occurs, and heartburn symptoms may also occur.

4. Disease factors: Chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, reflux esophagitis, incomplete pyloric obstruction, hiatal hernia, gastric cancer and other diseases may cause gastric acid heartburn symptoms.

It can be seen that heartburn is a very common symptom of digestive system diseases and is not specific. Many factors and diseases may cause heartburn, among which gastric cancer and esophageal cancer may cause heartburn symptoms. , but it cannot be said that heartburn is a sign of cancer. However, if you have heartburn for a long time, acid reflux may increase the risk of Barrett's esophagitis, which is a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Therefore, if you find that you have stomach heartburn regularly or for a long time, you should be alert enough and go to the hospital for a gastroscopy in time.