What happens when you have heartburn? Heartburn isn’t something to ignore. We tell you why.
Occasional heartburn probably isn’t serious. But if you have heartburn more often than not, it can take its toll on your body and your health.
Over time stomach acid can start to damage the lining of your esophagus. This can lead to complications and even cancer. But treatment can help. Read on to learn what happens when you have heartburn.
| WHEN YOU EAT, food travels to your stomach through a tube called your esophagus. Your esophagus connects to your stomach by a circular band of muscles, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). | 
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| WHEN YOU SWALLOW, your LES relaxes to let food and liquids drain down into your stomach. Afterward, it closes up again. This stops stomach acid from flowing back up into your esophagus. 
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IF YOU HAVE HEARTBURN, your LES becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. This allows acid from your stomach to flow back up into your esophagus—or even into your throat and mouth. | 
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Other Symptoms
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux disease. It’s also called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). When acid flows back up into your esophagus it can also cause:
- chest pain—especially when lying down
- burning in the back of your throat
- hoarseness or sore throat
- bitter or acid taste
- trouble swallowing
- dry cough
2 Too Many
If you take over-the-counter antacids MORE THAN 2 TIMES A WEEK, it’s time to see your doctor. Antacids only help ease the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux disease. They don’t actually heal or prevent damage to your esophagus.
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