Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Heartburn causes
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Heartburn is commonly caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or adverse reactions to various food and drugs, causing esophagitis. Life threatening causes of heartburn are far less common and include acute coronary syndromes and esophageal cancer.
Causes
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
These causes present with chest pain that may present similarly to heartburn and also other clinical features that occur with heartburn:
Common Causes
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)[1]
- Esophagitis [2]
- Hiatal hernia[3]
- Motility disorders (e.g., gastroparesis)
- Peptic ulcer disorder
- Lifestyle:
- Medications:
- Alpha-adrenergic antagonists
- Anticholinergic agents
- Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Beta2 -adrenergic drugs
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines
- Bisphosphonates
- Calcium channel blockers
- Chemotherapy
- Dopamine
- Estrogen
- Iron
- Narcotic analgesics
- Nitrates
- Potassium
- Progesterone
- Prostaglandins
- Quinidine
- Tetracycline
- Theophylline
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Zidovudine
- Dietary:
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated beverages
- Chocolate
- Citrus fruit or juices
- Fatty foods
- Garlic or onions
- Mint (peppermint, spearmint)
- Salt and salt substitutes
- Spicy foods
- Tomatoes/tomato juice
- Other:
- Genetics
- Pregnancy[4]
References
References
- ↑ De Giorgi F, Palmiero M, Esposito I, Mosca F, Cuomo R (October 2006). “Pathophysiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease”. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 26 (5): 241–6. PMC 2639970. PMID 17345925.
- ↑ Fennerty MB, Johnson DA (April 2006). “Heartburn severity does not predict disease severity in patients with erosive esophagitis”. MedGenMed. 8 (2): 6. PMC 1785158. PMID 16926745.
- ↑ Karamanolis G, Polymeros D, Triantafyllou K, Adamopoulos A, Barbatzas C, Vafiadis I, Ladas SD (June 2013). “Hiatal hernia predisposes to nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux”. United European Gastroenterol J. 1 (3): 169–74. doi:10.1177/2050640613490295. PMC 4040758. PMID 24917956.
- ↑ “www.worldgastroenterology.org” (PDF).
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: José Eduardo Riceto Loyola Junior, M.D.[2]