Question

What is the medical name for heartburn?

Briefly describe, in your own words, why chest pain occurs in patients who have heartburn.

Do you think chest pain could be related to more than just heartburn?

Answer 1

Heartburn : A form of indigestion felt as a burning sensation in the lower chest. It is caused by acid reflux, a condition in which the stomach contents are forced back up into the esophagus. It can start up because of a problem in the muscular valve called as lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located in the junction of esophagus and stomach.

The medical name of heartburn is pyrosis. It is also termed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Esophageal spasms can cause pain in heartburn. They are the abnormal constriction of the muscle of food tube. They occur when acid reflux or other medical issues cause damage within the esophagus. In heartburn, the acid of stomach can damage the tissues of esophagus. So, this damage can generally lead to the esophageal spasms.

Yes, chest pain could be related to more than just heartburn. There are several reasons for chest pain like heart attack, myocardial infraction, respiratory disorders like COPD, asthma, lung cancer etc.