Here are some of the most common questions asked about heartburn:

What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a term used to describe gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD), an uncomfortable burning sensation in the upper chest or throat when the contents of the stomach back up and re-enter the esophagus.

Who experiences heartburn?
Over 40 percent of Canadians will experience heartburn on a monthly basis in their lives. About a quarter of all pregnant women experience heartburn daily during pregnancy. Even young children and infants can experience heartburn; it is thought that recurrent vomiting, coughing and certain respiratory problems in children may be caused by heartburn.

How do I know if I have heartburn?
Symptoms include a burning or pressure sensation in the upper chest and throat that usually occurs after eating and can last for several hours. The same symptoms may also occur when lying down, especially after a meal. A bitter taste in the mouth frequently accompanies these symptoms.

What is the difference between heartburn and heart pain?
Heartburn is sometimes confused with pain caused by a heart attack or other serious heart conditions, but there are ways to tell them apart. Pain caused by a heart attack usually increases with physical activity and may be relieved with rest. Pain related to heartburn usually does not change with physical activity, although because of the way the body is positioned, swimming and cycling have been known to worsen heartburn. If you have any medical concerns, whether related to a heart problem or heartburn, seek medical treatment immediately.

What is the connection between heartburn, ulcers and hiatus hernia?
Gastric or duodenal ulcers are sores or lesions in the lining of the stomach or in the upper section of the small intestine (known as the duodenum). Once thought to be caused by stress and too much acid, it is now believed that bacteria known as H. pylori cause most ulcers. (Click here to view the graphic.)

Both heartburn and ulcers are classified as acidic disorders, a term used to describe any of several different conditions involving the gastrointestinal tract and associated with acid secretion. (Click here to view the graphic.)

Hiatus hernia happens when a part of the stomach moves up and protrudes through a small opening in the diaphragm muscle that separates the stomach from the chest wall. Many middle-aged, healthy people have a small hiatus hernia, but it doesn't bother them and no treatment is required. In others, stomach acid can collect above the hernia. A hernia can also weaken the lower esophageal sphincter that keeps stomach acid out of the esophagus, thus promoting heartburn. (Click here to view the graphic.)