The primary cause is gastroesophageal reflux (GER), where stomach contents regurgitate into the esophagus.
: Brain imaging shows that perceived heartburn involves activated cortical regions in the sensory, motor, and prefrontal areas, with GERD patients showing more rapid and intense brain activity than healthy individuals. Functional vs. Erosive Heartburn Not all heartburn is caused by visible physical damage. HEART BURN
: Patients have typical symptoms but no visible esophageal damage during an endoscopy. The primary cause is gastroesophageal reflux (GER), where
: Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) acts as a seal. If this muscle becomes loose or relaxes inappropriately, acid can leak through. Erosive Heartburn Not all heartburn is caused by
: A condition where symptoms persist despite a normal endoscopy and even when acid suppression therapy fails. It is often linked to esophageal hypersensitivity , where the nerves in the esophagus are overly sensitive to even physiological (normal) levels of acid. Distinguishing Heartburn from Heart Attacks Heartburn or heart attack: When to worry - Mayo Clinic