Heartburn resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: José Eduardo Riceto Loyola Junior, M.D.[2]
Synonyms and keywords:
Overview
Heartburn is the feeling of burning or pressure inside the chest, normally located behind the breastbone, which can last for several hours and may worsen after food ingestion. Some patients may also have a peculiar acid taste in the back of the throat accompanied with excessive salivation, regurgitating gas and bloating.(https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg184/ifp/chapter/heartburn-and-reflux). The most common cause of heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the lower esophageal sphincter allows for gastric content to reflux into the esophagus. This may cause atypical symptoms which includes: coughing, wheezing or asthma-like symptoms, hoarseness, sore-throat, dental erosions or gum disease, discomfort in the ears and nose. (https://mainlinegi.com/encounter-health/about-heartburnreflux). Heartburn is a symptom though, and it can have other causes besides GERD, such as esophagitis (infections, eosinophilic) and esophageal cancer. It can also be mistaken by chest pain and presented in life-threatening diseases such as acute coronary syndromes, aortic dissection and pericarditis.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions that may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
Common Causes
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Eosinophillic esophagitis
- Common cause 3
- Common cause 4
- Common cause 5
Diagnosis
Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the diagnosis of [[disease name]] according the the [...] guidelines.
Treatment
Shown below is an algorithm summarizing the treatment of [[disease name]] according the the [...] guidelines.
Do's
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Don'ts
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