Heartburn

Heartburn or pyrosis is a painful and burning sensation in the esophagus (food pipe), just below the breastbone. The pain often rises in the chest and may radiate to the neck, throat, or angle of the jaw. Despite its name, heartburn actually has nothing to do with the heart. It is so called because of a burning sensation of the breastbone where the heart is located.

Frequent or constant heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - a disease in which stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into the esophagus.