Home : Symptoms : Everything You Need To Know About Heartburn

Everything You Need to Know About Heartburn

Everything You Need to Know About Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, occurs when the contents of the stomach move in a backward motion and into the esophagus. A severe form of acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn or acid reflux is a common digestive condition which affects more than 60 million Americans at least once in 30 days, with more than 15 million Americans experiencing this phenomenon every day. There are different heartburn symptoms and signs, the most common one being a burning sensation in the chest. The feeling in the stomach radiates up to the mid-chest or throat. It may also cause a bitter taste in the back of the mouth and often lead to struggle while swallowing and in some cases, it is known to develop breathing problems too.

Occasional heartburn is quite common and does not point to anything specific. Majority of the people are able to manage the discomfort caused by heartburn by introducing certain lifestyle changes along with some over-the-counter medications. However, if heartburn is more frequent and interferes with the daily routine, it is an indication pointing to a more serious condition that requires medical attention.

Common heartburn symptoms and signs

  • A burning sensation in the upper body, just behind the breastbone that starts immediately after eating and lasts for a few minutes to several hours
  • Chest pain that becomes severe especially after lying down, bending over, or eating
  • A burning sensation in the throat
  • Consistent cramps experienced in the upper abdomen
  • Dry mouth
  • Gum irritation along with tenderness and bleeding
  • Tooth erosion
  • Pain or swelling in the throat
  • Unpleasant breath because of slight regurgitation of acidic foods
  • Bloating
  • Burping or passing gas after meals
  • Sometimes acid in the stomach can escape from the stomach and can make its way into the back of the throat. This leaves a hot, acidic, bitter, or salty taste in your mouth.
  • The continuous and endless cycle of damage and healing after acid reflux causes scarring which in turn, causes lower-esophagus tissue to swell, causing the esophagus to narrow. This not only troubles the system but also causes difficulty while swallowing food.
  • Hoarse voice
  • A sore throat is one of the classic heartburn symptoms and signs
  • The wheezing and coughing from heartburn can get worse and can also trigger asthma in some patients.
  • Nausea that is usually felt after having a meal is an indication that it might be acid reflux.
  • Production of excessive saliva

Causes of Heartburn
Several factors may lead to heartburn and make it worse. These include mainly include factors related to food, lifestyle or health or a combination of all.

Dietary habits that trigger heartburn are:

  • Eating large food portions
  • Eating processed foods that are high in salt, sugar, refined oils and synthetic additives
  • Eating certain foods such as spicy foods, peppermint, onions, garlic, high-fat foods, chocolate, citrus fruits, and tomatoes or other tomato-based products
  • Drinking alcohol, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices, and carbonated beverages
  • Eating shortly before bedtime
  • Caffeine
  • Frequent consumption of certain types of OTC medications
  • Chocolate

Lifestyle habits that cause heartburn include:

  • Being obese or overweight
  • Smoking
  • Wearing body-hugging clothes and tight belts
  • Stress and anxiety
  • A sedentary lifestyle

Medical reasons that can lead to heartburn are as follows:

  • Pregnancy
  • A hiatal hernia where the belly starts bulging up into the chest
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Certain anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications

If new symptoms of heartburn arise more than twice a week and aren’t calmed by over-the-counter antacids, it is best to see a doctor immediately. A doctor will accurately identify the heartburn symptoms and signs. Usually, they will suggest lifestyle modifications to treat heartburn symptoms and signs. The first thing to do when suffering from regular occurring heartburn is to avoid foods that are known to trigger heartburn. For instance, if you observe that after having spicy foods, your heartburn starts acting up then you should avoid having hot ingredients altogether. Heartburn treatments also involve learning how to sleep correctly to prevent nighttime heartburn.

Sedentary lifestyle and obesity are the most common causes of heartburn. Thus it is advised to exercise regularly for a minimum of 30 minutes every day to reduce weight, inflammation levels, and also to cope with stress and improve quality of sleep. Nevertheless, it is essential to strike a balance, too much exercise can often take a toll on the immune system. You can opt for low-impact workouts like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and jogging. Also, it is necessary to consume digestive enzymes to maintain the pH balance in the stomach. This can be done by having a tablespoon of vinegar with a very small amount of water before having meals.

Popular Reads

You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You know about headaches and seizures, but did you know that this common condition is one of the brain tumor symptoms you ought to watch out for? Brain tumors manifest in symptoms for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the brain is a very compact organ, and there is little to no space to accommodate the growth of other tissue inside the brain. Secondly, depending on exactly where they are growing inside the brain, these tumors push against and impose pressure on certain parts, and cause varying symptoms. Perhaps, the most common early warning symptom of brain tumors is a headache . Headaches may be severe to start off with, or may have a tendency to worsen early in the morning or after any activity. The second most commonly reported symptom of brain tumors is seizures or fits. Also known as convulsion, motor seizures are characterized by sudden involuntary movements of the muscles in a person’s body. Depending on the area that the tumor is pushing against, you may experience different types of seizures. The most common ones are myoclonic and tonic-clonic or Grand Mal seizures. Less common brain tumor symptoms include changes in sensory perceptions without being unconscious, personality/memory changes, nausea and vomiting and fatigue .
Everything You Need to Know About Haemophilia in Children

Everything You Need to Know About Haemophilia in Children

Get all your questions pertaining to haemophilia in children answered here. A first aid kit is your best friend as a parent. Children seem to know just how to walk in an unbalanced gait and topple over without any external help. The result is an extraordinary number of bumps and bruises that need more than a mother’s kiss to make better. While bruises and scrapes are a normal part of childhood, haemophilia children need extra care. A bruise or cut would heal and scab over for others, but for haemophilia children, even the smallest cuts are a cause of concern. If you are a parent with haemophilia children or would just like to know more about the condition to help your loved ones handle it better, here are the answer to the most common questions when it comes to haemophilia in children. What is Haemophilia? When you get a cut, there are clotting agents in your blood that act quickly to curb the bleeding. However, for haemophilia children, the disease actively stops blood from clotting properly. The result is an excessive loss of blood, which can be very dangerous to the health of haemophilia children. This genetic disorder tends to affect more boys than girls.
Do You Suffer from These Bladder Control Problems in Women?

Do You Suffer from These Bladder Control Problems in Women?

Do not just live with urinary incontinence – learn what causes it so you can improve bladder control problems in women. If you think that urinary incontinence is a problem that only older women and men deal with, think again. Bladder control problems in women are common, and they affect women of all age groups. Sometimes, there is a clear starting point for bladder control problems in women. You may have just delivered a baby, and are getting back to your active lifestyle, when you suffer through an “accident”. Owing to how embarrassing bladder control problems in women can be, a lot of women never seek help for this treatable condition. Regardless of age, many across the globe are living with bladder control problems in women, and shrouding the condition in secrecy. However, the truth is that more than 13 million people in the United States have incontinence issues. Bladder control problems in women are twice as likely as men. According to the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality, 30 percent of young women suffer incontinence. The rates of bladder control problems in women increase with age, with 40 percent of middle-aged women, and 50 percent of older women suffering from urinary incontinence.