What causes heartburn and nausea

Heartburn and nausea are complaints related to the digestive system.

Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach flows backward into the esophagus, also known as gastroesophageal reflux.

According to Medical News Today, a heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone and some people may experience a sour or bitter taste in the back of the throat.

Nausea is the urge to vomit. Both heartburn and nausea are however symptoms of indigestion. They are often accompanied with the following symptoms:

• Feeling full quickly while eating
• Feeling uncomfortably full after eating
• Feeling sick
• Bloating
• Burping
• Growling or gurgling in the stomach
• Gas

These symptoms are often caused by:

• drinking too much alcohol
• drinking too much caffeine
• eating too fast or too much at once
• eating spicy, fatty, or greasy food
• Stress
• Smoking cigarettes

If the symptoms appear more frequently, it could a sign of an underlying health condition such as:

1. Gastritis

This is the swelling of the stomach lining from the acidic juices in the gut.

This is caused by helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and damage to the stomach lining.

Other symptoms include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

2. Peptic ulcer disease

It is also called a stomach ulcer and it is a sore on the lining of the stomach.

It is caused by long term use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin. An H. pylori infection may also lead to the problem.

The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a dull or burning pain anywhere between the bellybutton and the breastbone.

The pain is usually worse when the stomach is empty. It can come and go for days, weeks, or even months.

3. Medication Side Effects

Specific antibiotics and NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen may have heartburn and nausea as their side effect.

4. Pregnancy

Symptoms of indigestion are common in pregnant women.

Heartburn can happen due to fluctuating hormones affecting the muscle that keeps food in the stomach. This change can allow acid to move from the stomach to the esophagus.

Nausea is also a symptom of morning sickness. This might happen at any time of the day or night. A person may only feel nauseated, or they may also vomit.

Treatments and home remedies

• Antacids
• Antibiotics
• Proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole and lansoprazole
• Lifestyle and dietary changes