Heartburn is that burning feeling in the middle of your chest, usually after a big meal or when you lie down at night. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach.
Most of us get heartburn now and then, and a single episode is rarely a worry. It tends to show up when the lower esophageal sphincter, the ring of muscle that should keep stomach contents down, relaxes or weakens and lets acid escape upward.
When heartburn becomes a regular visitor, it is worth paying attention. Our board-certified gastroenterologists in Akron and Massillon help you figure out what is driving it and find lasting relief.
Symptoms
- A burning pain in the chest, often rising toward the throat
- Discomfort that worsens after eating or when lying down
- A sour or bitter taste in the back of the mouth
- A feeling that food is coming back up
- Symptoms that wake you up or interrupt your evening
What causes it
Heartburn comes from acid moving the wrong way through a weakened lower esophageal sphincter. Large or late meals, fatty and fried foods, spicy dishes, coffee, alcohol, smoking, extra weight, and certain medications can all make it more likely. Lying down or bending over soon after eating gives acid an easy path upward.
How we diagnose it
For occasional heartburn, your history is often enough to guide a plan. When symptoms are frequent or stubborn, we may recommend an upper endoscopy, a short procedure done under sedation that lets us look directly at the esophagus and stomach. This helps us check for irritation, rule out Barrett’s esophagus, and take biopsies if needed.
How we treat it
For heartburn that comes and goes, over-the-counter antacids often do the job, paired with simple lifestyle changes like smaller meals, fewer trigger foods, and not lying down right after eating. When symptoms are more persistent, prescription acid reducers can calm things down and let the esophagus heal. If a weak sphincter is the root of the problem, an endoscopic repair can strengthen it and cut down on reflux. We tailor the approach to your symptoms and follow up to make sure it is working.
When to see us
Reach out if heartburn happens more than twice a week or does not settle with home remedies. Frequent reflux can quietly damage the esophagus over time, and ongoing symptoms may point to GERD, the chronic form of acid reflux. Getting evaluated early helps you stay ahead of complications.
To get relief from heartburn, call The Gastroenterology Group at (330) 869-0954 or request an appointment online. We welcome new patients in Akron and Massillon and will help you find a plan that works.