Have you ever felt queasy due to a burning sensation you cannot describe in your heart? It is called heartburn, although it has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, it is a highly uncomfortable condition causing pain and tightness in the chest. This is probably because the muscular valve between the oesophagus and the intestine becomes erratic and repeatedly starts to open and close in a staggered manner. This causes reverse flow of the stomach acid leading to ‘acid reflux’. Although a normal phenomenon, it is often overlooked, even if it occurs frequently. It may be a sign of underlying chronic gastric conditions requiring special medical care.
Foods that cause heartburn
- Excessive fatty or oily foods
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Excessive spice
- Ginger
- Onions
- Peppermint
- Alcohol
- Peppermint
- Any acidity triggering foods
You can search using ‘best gastroenterologist near me’ and ‘Best Gastroenterologists in India’ to get the right medical attention if you, your loved ones or acquaintances are suffering from the following symptoms:
- Pain that radiates to the left side of the body and appears to have a ‘squeezing’ effect
- Pain that pulsates through the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms and back
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Light-headedness or giddiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Palpitations or racing heartbeat
Let’s look at the possible conditions to watch out for in case of heartburn.
GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease
This chronic condition is triggered by spicy foods, high caffeine intake, obesity, smoking, etc. It causes repeated bouts of gastrointestinal reflux, creating heartburn.
Other common symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
- Coughing
- Difficulty in swallowing or dysphagia
- Nausea
Esophagitis
When cells lining our food pipe get injured or undergo inflammation, additional symptoms, including chest pain or difficulty in swallowing, can be experienced. Erosive Esophagitis is caused by gastroesophageal reflux. In addition, immune-mediated inflammatory processes, systemic conditions such as Crohn’s disease or CD, digestion of corrosive substances and even chemotherapy are known to trigger Esophagitis.
Stomach Ulcers
Sometimes the stomach lining develops sores causing gnawing abdominal pain and a burning sensation in the chest. These are called peptic ulcers. Sometimes they can also be hard to distinguish from angina, trauma, or heart attack.
Life-threatening causes of chest pain
Heart Attack
If one is experiencing a burning pain that travels down to one or both arms that do not change with breathing, movement, or food intake, it might signify an impending heart attack. The possibility is more likely in the case of the following risk factors.
- Older age
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- A family history of heart disease
Trauma
Physical trauma is caused by an injury that impacts the chest wall muscle, diaphragm, and ribs leading to a burning sensation in the chest area. They can eventually cause damage to the lungs, heart, and other vital organs. This can result in a burning sensation in the chest.
Pulmonary Embolism
Repetitive or prolonged chest pain may also be due to pulmonary embolism. It is a chronic condition blood clot in the main artery leading to lung complications. Chest pain is a major symptom of this chronic condition.
Treatment of burning chest pain
If you or someone you know has been experiencing chest pain, get in touch with the best gastroenterologists in India at SeekMed. Proper diagnosis is essential to developing an effective treatment plan. SeekMed is a global telemedicine platform that offers easy access to super-specialists who can analyse the cause of your heartburn or chest pain and advise the best treatment options. Search for the best gastroenterologist near me and consult India’s top doctors online who can advise antacids and acid blockers to reduce stomach acid production and help resolve your symptoms. They shall also recommend lifestyle changes such as intake of the controlled level of sodium, cholesterol, and sugar in diet for effective treatment. Improve your health by making informed decisions with the help of award-winning doctors at SeekMed.
