Heartburn is a common symptom that we all suffer from, especially after eating fatty meals rich in fat. But the constant feeling of heartburn is an alarm bell; As it requires immediate treatment, which may include surgical intervention, otherwise serious consequences may result from heartburn, which may even lead to esophageal cancer.
Professor Stefan Mielke, from the German Society for Gastroenterology and Metabolism, explained: “Heartburn symptoms are considered worrisome if a person suffers from them once or twice a week for more than a month,” and he should then consult a specialist doctor.
Heartburn is caused by the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, and is therefore called reflux disease. The acidic mixture consisting of gastric juice and food residue attacks the mucous membranes in the esophagus, which leads to the appearance of common symptoms. Such as stomach upset, burning pain in the chest area below the sternum, feeling heartburn, and feeling nauseous.
The transition zone between the stomach and esophagus is usually sealed by a closing mechanism, which includes a spiral-shaped muscle in the wall of the esophagus and sphincter muscles in the diaphragm. When there is a malfunction in the closing mechanism between the stomach and the esophagus, this may lead to the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
