Heartburn

Pyrosis, commonly known as heartburn, manifests as a burning sensation in the chest or throat due to the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. Western medicine identifies this condition as a Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptom. It uses frequency criteria for diagnosis two or more times a week (Vakil et al., 2006, The American Journal of Gastroenterology). Factors contributing to heartburn include diet, alcohol, medication, and conditions like hiatal hernia that compromise the lower esophageal sphincter (Kahrilas et al., 2008, Gastroenterology). In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) associates pyrosis with spleen Qi deficiency, characterized by symptoms like poor appetite, pale complexion, and bloating (Chen and Chen, 2004, Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology). This pattern is often induced by poor diet and emotional stress, which disrupt the spleen's function in fluid metabolism, leading to dampness and phlegm accumulation (Xue et al., 2010, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Both paradigms offer distinct etiological perspectives and therapeutic approaches for managing this common gastrointestinal complaint.