What is Heartburn (Acid Reflux)?
By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD
Heartburn is a symptom rather than a disease. It is a symptom of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease or “acid refluxâ€. This is a common condition when the acid produced in the stomach leaks out and seeps back into the esophagus or food pipe.
The esophagus is a tube made up of muscles and lined with sensitive mucosal layer within that runs from the mouth to the stomach. As the stomach’s acid leaks into the esophagus, it leads to heartburn or burning chest pain or discomfort. Despite the fact that the pain has nothing to do with the heart, its location is the reason for the nomenclature.
The leakage of the acid into the esophagus also leads to a sour or bitter taste in the back of the mouth and in severe cases pain and difficulty swallowing. Most people have stomach acid reflux at some point in their lives, either as heartburn or acid regurgitation.
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