Heartburn is a burning sensation that you feel in your throat or chest, usually behind the chest bone. Heartburn is caused by the acid in the stomach escaping back into the esophagus. This is the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. The acid escapes when the lower esophagus sphincter (LES) may not functioning correctly. This is a muscle which opens to allow food into the stomach and then shuts to stop anything from getting back out. If this fails the acid escapes and causes the burning sensation in the esophagus.

Most people may possibly experience heartburn at some point in their lives. However, if you are experiencing it more than twice a week then you may be suffering from what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease more commonly known as GERD. It has been stated that Heartburn is the most common type of GERD, however, there are other symptoms. Such symptoms are Chest pain, sour taste in the mouth, a feeling of a full stomach and nausea after eating and regurgitation where the acid from the stomach backups into the throat and in some instances makes it to the mouth with can induce vomiting.

One of the main factors to the development of heartburn in a person may be the food that they consume. Such foods as chocolate, caffeine products, fatty foods also such things as smoking and alcohol can possibly cause the condition. Also when a women is pregnant she can become more susceptible to heartburn as the weight of the baby puts added pressure on the LES.

If you are experiencing heartburn on a regular basis it is imperative that you see you doctor or medical specialist straight away. There are some forms of acid reflux that be very serious indeed. If the lining of the esophagus is under constant attack from the acid refluxed from the stomach this can in turn erode at the lining of the esophagus which can be very serious. Also with prolonged bouts of acid reflux there is a condition called Barrett's Syndrome, this is where the cellular structure of the lining of the esophagus has been changed by the constant attack of the acid in the esophagus. This is a very serious condition and can increase the sufferers chances of esophagal cancer.

As can be seen from the information, heartburn is a condition that many people suffer from. However, if it recurring, then it should not be taken lightly and medical advice should be sought straight away as more serious conditions can arise. So, always seek the advice of a health care specialist so a proper diagnosis can be carried out and the severity of your heatburn can be determined.