9 Serious Conditions That Mimic Heartburn - Article Health

Heartburn or something else?
Heartburn-like pain is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But several other conditions can cause a burning feeling in your chest.

Heart disease
Angina, or chest pain caused by lack of blood flow to the heart, can feel a lot like heartburn.

"The major key is if you're getting heartburn when you're doing strenuous or moderate activity," says Ryan Madanick, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill.

Gallstones
Although gallstones don't always cause symptoms, a stone blocking your bile duct can hurt, usually in the middle or upper-right side of the abdomen.

Stomach ulcer
Ulcers can cause a gnawing, burning sensation, usually felt in the upper abdomen. The pain can find its way up to the chest, Dr. Madanick says.

Hiatal hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when a portion of the upper stomach pokes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, rather than staying in the abdominal cavity where it belongs.

Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is rare, but its incidence is rising rapidly in the United States, Dr. Madanick says.

Gastroparesis
Poor control of diabetes can lead to nerve damage, which can affect the workings of your digestive tract. This is called gastroparesis, and it dramatically slows the movement of food through the stomach and can cause heartburn.



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