Common Symptoms Of Heartburn
If you’ve got a burning feeling in your chest just behind your breastbone that starts after you eat, it might be heartburn. The symptoms could last from a few minutes to several hours.
Heartburn begins when stomach acid splashes up into your esophagus, a tube that connects the back of your throat and stomach. Besides the burning feeling in your chest, you may also get:
- Chest pain, especially after you bend over, lie down, or eat
- Burning at the back of your throat
- Fluid at the back of your throat that tastes hot, sour, acidic, or salty
- Long-term cough, sore throat, or hoarseness
Telling your doctor about these symptoms is usually all they need to make a diagnosis of heartburn. But they may ask you to take special tests to find out how severe the problem is or to keep an eye on your treatment.
Are There Any Complications From Oesophagitis
- Scarring and narrowing . If you have severe and long-standing inflammation it can cause a stricture of the lower gullet . This is uncommon.
- Barrett’s oesophagus. In this condition the cells that line the lower oesophagus become changed. The changed cells are more prone than usual to becoming cancerous.
- Cancer. Your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus is slightly increased compared to the normal risk if you have long-term acid reflux.
It has to be stressed that most people with reflux do not develop any of these complications. Tell your doctor if you have pain or difficulty when you swallow, which may be the first symptom of a complication.
Differentiating Heartburn From Other Diseases
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Other Causes Of Chest Pain
Heart attack and heartburn arent the only causes of chest pain, but theyre two of the most likely ones. Other potential symptoms include:
- Anxiety attack. Severe bouts of anxiety can cause panicked feelings that may make you feel as if your heart is racing. Other symptoms include shortness of breath and intense fear.
- Esophageal muscle spasm. Some people have an esophagus that tightens or spasms. If this occurs, a person can have pain and discomfort,
How Can You Relieve Heartburn Symptoms Naturally During Pregnancy
Maternity often tends to aggravate heartburn since the lower esophageal sphincter is actually weakened during pregnancy. This damaged settles after shipping of the baby. Pregnancy also misshapes the organs in the mid-section as well as the enhanced abdominal pressure from the increasing baby creates heartburn . These adjustments ensure the heartburn of acid as well as pyrosis .
Approximately 17% to 45% of females that become pregnant will definitely deal with pyrosis .
However there are no very clear research studies on the security of heartburn medications on the expanding baby, as well as scientists are actually not mosting likely to check these drugs on expectant ladies to evaluate just how risk-free they are for the establishing baby, so the only choice is to assess these medicines on pregnant pets. There is actually no evidence that the majority of the acid neutralizing or even reducing medications are actually harmful to the unborn child although nonabsorbable medications are actually preferred.
Administration of heartburn during pregnancy consists of many of the same natural home remedy and also lifestyle adjustments for an individual with heartburn that is not pregnant .
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Low Stomach Acid: What Causes It + How To Know If You Have It
Low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria is rampant and the cause of so many gut and health problems, including heartburn, reflux, SIBO, mineral deficiencies, and hypothyroidism. Learn 10 root causes + how to know if you have it!
Note from Dena: This post was co-written with Deina Hamdan, Dietetic Intern, as part of a research partnership between Back To The Book Nutrition and post-graduate nutrition students from the University of Houston.
We hear a lot about excess stomach acid and how to lower it, but many people with heartburn, reflux, bloating, and IBS actually have low stomach acid. Read on to learn what causes low stomach acid and how to know if you have it!
WHAT IS LOW STOMACH ACID?
Low stomach acid, or hypochlorhydria, occurs when your body has low levels of hydrochloric acid , making it harder to break down food and nutrients. When this happens, the body also releases less digestive enzymes and bile to help break down food, causing a variety of digestive symptoms .
SYMPTOMS OF LOW HCL
Here are a few symptoms that you may experience along with hypochlorhydria:
- Heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD
- Poor digestion after eating heavy foods you may feel a heavy sensation in your stomach, especially after eating high protein foods
- Gas
- Food sensitivities
WHY LOW STOMACH ACID IS BAD FOR YOU
Although a lower HCl level itself is enough to cause symptoms, leaving it untreated may also lead to several other health complications such as:
When To See A Doctor About Heartburn Vs Indigestion
If your symptoms of heartburn and/or indigestion dont improve after a few weeks of home remedies and preventive measures, see your doctor.
Chronic heartburn or indigestion issues could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. To get to the root of chronic indigestion or heartburn issues, your doctor may order a few tests, including:
- a physical exam of your abdomen
- acid probe tests to measure when stomach acid reaches back into your esophagus
- imaging tests, such as X-rays and endoscopies , to look at your esophagus and stomach
- blood or stool tests to rule out bacterial infections that may be causing indigestion
- pain in your abdomen that doesnt go away
- frequent vomiting
- blood in vomit or stools
- tar-colored stools
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Is Heartburn A Symptom Of A Heart Attack
Heartburn is often a symptom of GERD, but it can also be a symptom of a heart attack. In fact, heart attacks can cause other symptoms that usually happen with GERD, such as nausea, burping, and vomiting. In this case, the symptoms usually do not occur by themselves and will come with other symptoms that point to a more serious cause.
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux , also called reflux, is when food and acid from the stomach go back up into the esophagus. This causes an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, often called heartburn.
With GER, reflux happens after nearly every meal and causes noticeable discomfort. After eating, people with GER feel a burning sensation in the chest, neck, and throat.
While its more common in adults, kids, teens, and even babies can have gastroesophageal reflux.
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What Are The Treatment Options
If you have heartburn, your provider may prescribe over-the-counter antacids, which may come in a chewable tablet. They might also recommend prescription drugs such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, which reduce how much acid your stomach makes.
Providers may also recommend lifestyle changes, like losing weight and quitting smoking, which can increase stomach acid production. Other changes often include reducing stress, exercising more, avoiding food around bedtime, raising the head of the bed about 6 inches, and eating more high-protein, low-fat meals.
Heartburn Causes And Risk Factors
Heartburn symptoms can start up because of a problem with a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter . Its located where the esophagus meets the stomach below the rib cage and slightly left of center.
Normally, with the help of gravity, the LES keeps stomach acid right where it should be in your stomach. When its working right, the LES opens to allow food into your stomach or to let you belch, then closes again. But if the LES opens too often or doesnt close tightly enough, stomach acid can seep into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation.
If your LES doesnt tighten as it should, there are often two things that contribute to the problem. One is overeating, which puts too much food in your stomach. Another is too much pressure on your stomach, often due to obesity, pregnancy, or constipation.
Certain foods can relax your LES or increase stomach acid, including:
- Tomatoes
- Alcohol
- Peppermint
Meals high in fats and oils often lead to heartburn, as do certain medications. Stress and lack of sleep can raise how much acid your stomach makes and can cause heartburn.
If youre pregnant, the hormone progesterone can relax your LES and lead to heartburn. Smoking also relaxes the LES and increases stomach acid.
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When In Doubt Check It Out
If youre not sure if its heartburn or your heart, seek medical attention right away. Its very easy to confuse the two issues so let a doctor rule out the most severe possibility. This is an especially important message for women.
Women are more likely to call help for someone else but not themselves, Bauman said. In fact, 81 percent of women said they would call 911 for someone else showing signs of a heart attack but only 65 percent would call for themselves, according to a special report in Circulation.
She added: I always tell people if youre concerned and not sure if its your heart, its better to err on the side of checking it out and having someone tell you its not a heart attack.
What If Medication Or Lifestyle Changes Don’t Help
Your provider may request more testing if lifestyle changes and medication did not help. These tests include a pH test to check for acid in your esophagus or an endoscopy. This test uses a small tube with a camera and light to see inside of your digestive tract and spot any issues.
MedlinePlus National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases American College of Gastroenterology
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What Stops Heartburn Fast
Vinegar to Stop Heartburn Fast. If you are suffering from acid reflux which is the biggest cause of heartburn, vinegar can act as the trigger the sphincter beneath the esophagus to close, resulting in preventing acid from rising. Apple Cider Vinegar acts as the best among all the vinegar for curing heartburn.
What Are The Symptoms Of Acid Reflux And Oesophagitis
- Heartburn: this is the main symptom. This is a burning feeling which rises from the upper tummy or lower chest up towards the neck.
- Other common symptoms: these include pain in the upper abdomen and chest, feeling sick, an acid taste in the mouth, bloating, belching, indigestion and a burning pain when you swallow hot drinks. Like heartburn, these symptoms tend to come and go and tend to be worse after a meal.
- Some uncommon symptoms: these may occur and if they do, can make the diagnosis difficult, as these symptoms can mimic other conditions. For example:
- A persistent cough, particularly at night, sometimes occurs. This is due to the refluxed acid irritating the windpipe . Asthma symptoms of cough and wheeze can sometimes be due to acid leaking up .
- Other mouth and throat symptoms sometimes occur, such as gum problems, bad breath, sore throat, hoarseness and a feeling of a lump in the throat.
- Severe chest pain develops in some cases .
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How Gastroenterologists Help With Gerd
The key to treating your GERD: a board-certified gastroenterologist
If you are suffering from chronic acid reflux, a specialist can help. GERD is a potentially serious condition, and it will not go away on its own. Untreated GERD can lead to inflammation of the esophagus and cause complications like ulcers, strictures and increased risk of Barretts esophagus, which is a precursor to esophageal cancer.
A gastroenterologist is a physician with specialized training in managing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract . Our gastroenterologists are fellowship-trained and qualified to diagnose GERD and help develop a meet your treatment plan.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:
- What are your main symptoms? Report any symptoms, such as abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits, or vomiting.
- How long have you had heartburn?
- Have you had this problem before? If so, do you know what caused the problem at that time? How was it treated? How did you respond to that treatment?
- Have you had any signs of bleeding from your digestive system?
- Have you had any difficulty swallowing when you eat or drink?
- How much tobacco do you use? How much alcohol do you drink? How much caffeine do you drink?
- Has your weight increased or decreased more than 2 kg recently?
- Have there been any changes in your diet? Are you eating certain foods more often?
- Have there been changes in your daily schedule, such as when you eat and when you go to bed?
- Are you taking any non-prescription or prescription medicines? Bring a list of all the medicines you are taking to your appointment.
- What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help? Be sure to include lifestyle changes you have made.
- What non-prescription medicines have you taken or used to treat your heartburn? Did they help?
- Do you have any health risks?
Remember to take your heartburn symptom record to your doctor visit. Be sure to note any lifestyle changes you have made or non-prescription medicines you use.
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What Is Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, affects your stomach. Located in the upper portion of your abdomen , your stomach digests the food you eat. Stomach cancer happens when theres abnormal cell growth in your stomach.
Over the last 10 years, doctors have seen a decline in stomach cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.
The main reason for the decrease in cases is likely that infections from Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria known more commonly as H. pylori, are being diagnosed earlier than they used to be. H. pylori is believed to be one of the major causes of stomach cancer because it can cause chronic inflammation in your stomach lining, as well as ulcers.
Now that were making the diagnosis of H. pylori earlier when patients get symptoms, theyre treated with antibiotics, the infection is eradicated and the overall risk of stomach cancer is decreased, Dr. Joyce explains.
But she warns that a particular type of stomach cancer called gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is on the rise. This cancer starts in your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
Theres a problem with obesity in the U.S., says Dr. Joyce. That causes more acid reflux in the esophagus, which leads to a condition called Barretts esophagus, and that can ultimately lead to cancer.
Signs That Heartburn Is A Warning Of Something More Serious
Heartburn is often not serious and will go away on its own or with over-the-counter medications. If you have heartburn that occurs with other symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. These symptoms may include:
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Shortness of breath
-
Feeling clammy
-
Increased heart rate
If you have heartburn or chest pain with any of these symptoms, it is important to get immediate medical attention. This is because these symptoms could mean there is a more serious cause that requires urgent treatment.
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About the Co-Author:
Deina Hamdan is a dietetic intern that is currently pursuing an MS in Nutrition at the University of Houston. As an Arab who was raised in New York, her dietary habits were equally influenced by two very different cultures. Her passion for nutrition grew when she realized that several factors could influence a persons perspective on healthy eating.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is intended only for informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a trusted healthcare provider before implementing significant dietary change. Read additional disclaimer info here.
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