Page 19 - Dec 2021 ST

Health

Causes & treatment of

heartburn

Is there a sensation of burning in your chest region after consuming spicy
food? A sour or bitter taste? Commonly labeled as heartburn, it usually has

absolutely nothing to do with the heart, writes Dr Nandini Saini

Heartburn is described by a sensation of mouth and dysphagia.
acute burning or pain in the retrosternal
region, often accompanied by a sour or Causes
bitter taste in the mouth. Though people Physiologically, the laxity of the lower
use the term interchangeably with acid oesophageal sphincter causes acid to travel
reflux or GERD, the three are vastly upwards, irritating the oesophageal lining.
different. Factors which can contribute are:
Acid Reflux is a condition were the acid Obesity: It’s one of the major contributing
from the stomach travels inversely through factors to heartburn, as it increases
the oesophagus (food pipe), to reach the pressure on the abdomen.
throat. It happens because the valve
separating the stomach and oesophagus
(the lower oesophageal sphincter or LES)
becomes weak.
GERD (gastro oesophageal reflux disease)
is a chronic form of acid reflux, where an
individual experiences the symptoms twice
a week or more.
Heartburn is essentially a symptom of the
above conditions, not a disease in itself. It
can be accompanied by an odd taste in the Pressure in the tummy causes heartburn

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #30 | DECEMBER 2021 19