Heartburn-like pain is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. A gastroenterologist in Beverly Hills finds that there are a variety of conditions that can cause a burning feeling in your chest.

Here are seven conditions that cause heartburn-like pain:

Heart Disease

A lack of blood flow to the heart causes chest pain, also known as angina, resembles heartburn. Heartburn among middle-aged and older people can raise suspicion of angina.

Gallstones

Though gallstones symptoms might not always be evident, a stone that blocks the bile duct pathway can hurt. The pain can include dull or sharp cramping that occurs shortly after eating. If acid reflux medication does not improve the condition of your stomach when it is in pain, then gallstones are at the center of the problem.

Stomach Ulcer

Ulcers cause an uneasy, burning sensation that often takes place in the upper abdomen, but can move toward the chest area. Some acid-suppressing medication may lessen the pain. Ulcers are usually caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which inflames the lining of the stomach.

Hiatal Hernia

Hiatal hernias occur when the upper stomach region pokes through the diaphragm to the chest cavity instead of remaining in the abdominal cavity. This can cause heartburn since food/stomach acid is pushed into the esophagus. Our gastroenterologist of Beverly Hills recommends lifestyle changes and acid-suppressing drugs to help clear up a hernia.

Esophageal Cancer

Having heartburn might warrant an upper endoscopy if you are a heavy smoker or drinker. An esophageal test is similar to a colonoscopy except a tube is inserted into the esophagus, rather than the colon.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is when nerve damage resulting from less than stellar control of diabetes affects the digestive tract in your body. This dramatically decreases the circulation of food through the stomach and can result in heartburn. Gastroparesis can be reduced through dietary changes/medication. For people who have severe symptoms, a doctor will need to insert a feeding tube with pulses that resemble a contraction.

Pleuritis/Costochondritis

Pleuritis is when the lining of your lungs and chest cavity is inflamed. Costochondritis is another type of inflammation where the cartilage that anchors the ribs to the breastbone causes sharp pain. Both of these can result in chest pain similar to heartburn.

About Gi Doctor: gastroenterologist Beverly Hills

A gastroenterologist in Beverly Hills, Dr. Peyton Berookim, has a value of care that is recognized well above the average of any gastroenterologist. The tools and technology utilized by this Gi doctor are state-of-the-art and most importantly, modern. Please visit our website here or follow him on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about heartburn and its related issues.