What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is usually associated with GERD. It occurs when stomach acid is regurgitated and causes a painful burning sensation from the chest up to the throat. Causes of heartburn can vary. Causes may be types of foods eaten or certain medical conditions.

Treatments for heartburn include drinking plenty of water, taking over-the-counter antacids, and taking prescription medication. Common drug classes used to treat heartburn are aluminum complexes, dopamine receptor antagonists, histamine-2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors.