Conditions That Feel Like Heartburn, But Aren’t

Heartburn is an uncomfortable condition, but it tends to be mistaken for other conditions that are far more serious. Let’s take a look at these conditions and how they manifest; this way you can work through your symptoms and either put your mind at ease or seed medical help for another condition. In this article we’ll take a look at what can be mistaken for heartburn and answer a few questions we hear frequently at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center: can anxiety feel like heartburn, and does angina feel like heartburn?

What Can Be Mistaken for Heartburn?

Angina

Does angina feel like heartburn? Unfortunately, heartburn and chest pain are often confused, though chest pain is far more serious; for this reason, healthcare practitioners always take chest pain seriously. The differences between the sensation of heartburn and angina (chest) are difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced it, but they are significantly different. For example, during angina, the pain will be sudden, crushing, and radiate up into your left shoulder and arm. You will also feel dizzy or nauseous. Heartburn will be limited to your esophagus and will not radiate. It should also fade if you take an antacid - angina will not. When in doubt, pop some Tums!

Gallstones

Gallstones are another source of similar pain that can feel like chest pain and heartburn. With gallstones, you will feel intense (sometimes nauseating) pain in your upper right abdomen and between your shoulder blades in your back. Gallstones also often cause a fever. If you find that you have a fever and Tums aren’t relieving your apparent heartburn pain, it’s time to call the doctor.

Stomach Ulcers

This condition is much more difficult to distinguish from heartburn, but it is still possible. The key will come from understanding the difference between the two conditions. In patients with stomach ulcers, pain is most often felt when the stomach is empty. Pain can be relieved by eating something or taking antacids. Heartburn, on the other hand, causes pain shortly after eating. You may also notice that the pain from stomach ulcers is a bit lower - from the belly button up to the sternum.

Hiatal Hernias

Hiatal hernias and heartburn tend to go hand in hand. However, you’ll know that something more serious is going on if you feel excessive pain when swallowing. Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we can help you get a diagnosis and treatment plan for a hiatal hernia.

Esophageal Cancer

Again, this is a condition that is easily mistaken for heartburn due to the fact that they tend to appear together. You will know that you may be suffering from something more serious if you find that you have difficulty swallowing food, cough a lot, or have a hoarse voice all of the time. More severe cases of esophageal cancer may cause you to develop pneumonia or cough up blood.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a very serious condition that can cause many issues for patients. Gastroparesis tends to cause heartburn, due to the fact that eating while the stomach is still full can cause reflux to occur. However, you’ll know that you have gastroparesis if you have changes in your blood sugar levels, vomit frequently, are malnourished, or feel persistently nauseated.

Esophagitis

Also known as esophageal inflammation, esophagitis is a condition that affects your ability to swallow properly. You will be able to distinguish between esophagitis and heartburn if you have difficulty swallowing or pain during swallowing. Heartburn usually manifests after having eaten food, not during eating. Esophagitis can, however, cause heartburn.

Pleuritis

Pleuritis (Pleurisy) is a condition that is characterized by sharp pain that comes from one (or both) lungs. Pleuritis is caused by inflammation in the outer lining of the lungs that often leads to fluid buildup. You will know that this condition is not heartburn if you hold your breath and the pain subsides or you take an antacid and the pain remains. If you can rule out heartburn on your own and you suspect pleuritis, contact your doctor right away.

Costochondritis

This is a condition that is often mistaken for a heart attack or angina. With costochondritis, the cartilage that connects the sternum to a rib bone is inflamed. This can result in chest pain that radiates up into a shoulder or into the back, much like with a heart attack. The pain will increase in intensity as you inhale and will not subside with antacids. This condition can be very serious; seek medical attention immediately.

Anxiety

Can anxiety feel like heartburn? The simple answer is maybe. Anxiety manifests in many different ways for different people, and indigestion is certainly one way. While anxiety may not directly cause heartburn, indigestion that stress hormones facilitate can certainly lead to heartburn attacks. Furthermore, severe anxiety and panic attacks can manifest as chest pain and tightening. If you think you are struggling with anxiety, talk to your doctor; you may be used to feeling like this, but there is another way!

If none of these conditions seem to make sense with your symptoms, it’s probably just heartburn. Every once in a while, heartburn isn’t anything to worry about; however, if you experience symptoms more than 2-3 times a week, it’s time to start talking to a reflux specialist about GERD. Contact the team at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center today.