Saturday, March 23, 2024

What Does Heartburn Feel Like

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Heartburn Or Heart Attack

What Does Heartburn Feel Like?

What does heartburn have to do with your heart? Nothing, actually!

Despite its name, heartburn or acid indigestion is related to your esophagus. But because the esophagus and heart are located near each other, either one can cause chest pain which is why many people mistake heart burn for angina and vice versa.

Learn How To Identify The Symptoms

Although different things may trigger heartburn, most people experience similar heartburn symptoms. Knowing what heartburn feels like and recognizing the symptoms you experience sooner can lead to earlier treatmentand relief.

The most common symptom of heartburn is often described as an uncomfortable or painful “burning” sensation in the chest.1 You may also experience pressure or pain just behind the breastbone. The pain may worsen when lying down or bending over, and it can last minutes or continue for a few hours.

Other common symptoms include the feeling that food is sticking in your chest or throat, a sour or acid taste in the back of your throat, discomfort that gets worse after eating, as well as burping and/or bloating.2

There are more uncommon heartburn symptoms you may not know: persistent hiccups, pain that radiates to your neck and shoulders, and finding it difficult or painful to swallow.2 Although rare, cold sweat, shortness of breath, light-headedness or dizziness may accompany heartburn. If these symptoms occur, you should discuss them with your doctor right away to determine the heartburn treatment options available to you, and to ensure you do not have a more serious condition.

Because heartburn symptoms are felt in a similar area, some people can confuse the pain of heartburn with a heart attack. If you’re unsure whether you’re suffering from heartburn or having a heart attack, seek medical attention right away.

References

How To Treat Heartburn

If you frequently experience signs of heartburn, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to get your life back on track.

Try focussing on the following natural remedies:

1.Optimal weight

Being overweight is one of the leading causes of heartburn. Overweight people are bound to experience heartburn more often since more pressure is put on their abdomen, and so stomach acid is more likely to backflow into the oesophagus. If youre overweight, losing a couple of kilograms will help you reduce the symptoms of heartburn.

2. Good posture

Do not slouch while you eat, as sitting upright will take the pressure off your stomach. Additionally, elevate the head of your bed when you go to sleep to prevent stomach acid from coming up your throat during the night.

3. Choosing healthy foods

Some foods can actually help you alleviate the problems that come with heartburn. Try adding alkaline fruits, such as bananas or melons, as well as green vegetables to your diet. Moreover, eat soothing dairy products like yoghurt and dont forget about whole grains that treat as well as prevent acid reflux.

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Symptoms Of Heartburn :

There are common and uncommon symptoms of heartburn. First let us talk about the common symptoms of heartburn:-

  • Burping
  • Uncomfortable, unease that gets worse after eating, lying down or bending over.
  • Acrid taste at the back of your throat.
  • A pressure or pain just behind the breastbone. If you are having a crushing chest pain then may be something serious is there which need to be accessed by doctor immediately.
  • Burning feeling in your chest that can travel up to neck or throat.

Now let us talk about some of the uncommon symptoms of heartburn:-

  • Continuous hiccups.
  • Painful swallowing if you feel you have problem in swallowing your food or water then it might be a symptom of heartburn, you should discuss them with your doctor immediately.
  • Consistent pain in your neck and shoulder area. If you feel something like this is happening with you then you should immediately discuss all these symptoms with your doctor.

Now comes to pregnant woman there are not many symptoms to discuss but I will tell you some to recognize heartburn:-

  • Unease, uncomfortable sensations, a flamethrower near chest or gut.
  • Burning sensation from mouth to stomach to bowl.

So far we have discussed its symptoms now let us talk about its causes.

Heartburn Heart Attack And Gender

What does heartburn feel like

Not everyone experiences heart attacks the same way. The common signs of heart attack include chest pain, pressure, tightness, squeezing or burning, and it could be in the middle or to either side of the chest, says Patterson. It may or may not spread to the neck, jaw, back or arm.

Other possible symptoms of heart attack include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Other symptoms similar to heartburn and abdominal pain

In particular, gender may have an impact on potential heart attack symptoms. Women tend to not have the typical heart attack symptoms. It can present as something that feels like heartburn, states Sauer.

It is more common for women to present with the atypical symptoms, agrees Patterson. An example would be fatigue without chest pain or shortness of breath without chest pain.

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Is It A Heart Attack

Heart attacks occur when the blood supply to the heart muscles becomes completely blocked. If a person does not receive immediate treatment, part of the heart muscle can die.

A common symptom of a heart attack is pain or discomfort that typically occurs in the center or left side of the chest. This pain may come and go, and its severity can range from mild to severe. It can also sometimes feel like heartburn or indigestion.

However, not everyone who has a heart attack experiences chest pain. The symptoms of a heart attack can vary considerably from person to person, and they may come on slowly or very suddenly.

Other symptoms of a heart attack might

  • fatigue
  • breaking out in a cold sweat

Anyone who suspects that they or someone else is having a heart attack should immediately call 911 or go to the emergency room.

When trying to distinguish between cardiac and noncardiac chest pain, a person needs to consider the following three factors:

  • the location of the pain
  • how the pain feels

We discuss each of these in more detail below:

How Is Heartburn Treated

In most cases, heartburn can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications and changes to lifestyle habits that cause the feeling. Occasional heartburn is common and is typically not serious. However, if you have frequent and severe heartburn, reach out to your healthcare provider. This could be a sign of a chronic condition like GERD. GERD can lead to other serious conditions like esophagitis, Barretts esophagus and even cancer. Sometimes, your doctor may want to do an endoscopy to check for underlying medication conditions. An endoscopy is the examination of your digestive tract with a lighted flexible instrument.

Over-the-counter medications for heartburn typically include antacids and acid blockers.

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What Is Heartburn And What Does It Feel Like

Many people may be led into thinking that this has something to do with the heart, which is not the case. Heartburn is purely a gastrointestinal tract symptom. It is the sensation felt when acid from the stomach moves up into the esophagus. An estimated, 60 million Americans experience this once every month.

Heartburn is usually a burning sensation felt behind the breastbone which happens after meals, which can last from a few minutes to several hours. The pain can occur after bending over when lying down or eating. This may be accompanied by a hot, acidic, or salty-tasting fluid at the back of the throat. The patient may also have difficulty in swallowing or a feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or the middle of the throat. Chronic heartburn can cause a cough, sore throats, and hoarseness.

Most of the time, doctors no longer see patients with heartburn as most over the counter treatments are quite effective, and the only time patients should consult a doctor is when these medications no longer work.

Heartburn Is Caused Due To Following Reasons:

What does acid reflux feel like?

1> Eating Habits:

  • Eating before going to bed
  • Drinking lots of alcohols, citrus juices, caffeinated beverages and carbonated beverages.
  • Eating large amount of food at a time.
  • Eating onions, chocolates, peppermint, high-fat foods, citrus fruits, garlic, spicy food, tomatoes and tomato based foods.

2> Medical Reasons:

  • Hiatal hernia
  • Use of certain special medicines like aspirin or some anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Gastro esophageal reflux disease

3> Living Habits:

  • Wearing tight clothes and belts.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Gerd

Not everyone with GERD has heartburn, but the primary symptoms of GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, and an acid taste in the mouth.

Heartburn usually is described as a burning pain in the middle of the chest. It may start high in the abdomen or may extend up the neck or back. Sometimes the pain may be sharp or pressure-like, rather than burning. Such pain can mimic heart pain . Typically, heartburn related to GERD is seen more commonly after a meal. Other symptoms of GERD include:

  • Hoarseness if acid reflux gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it can enter the throat and even the voice box , causing hoarseness or sore throat.
  • Laryngitis
  • Chronic dry cough, especially at night GERD is a common cause of unexplained coughing. It is not clear how cough is caused or aggravated by GERD.
  • Feeling as if there is a lump in your throat
  • Sudden increase of saliva

In infants and children, GERD can produce these symptoms:

  • Recurrent vomiting
  • A failure to thrive

What Does Heartburn Feel Like

Heartburn typically feels like a burning in the center of your chest, behind your breastbone. When you have heartburn, you may also feel symptoms like:

  • A burning feeling in your chest that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
  • Pain in your chest when you bend over or lay down.
  • A burning feeling in your throat.
  • A hot, sour, acidic or salty taste in the back of your throat.
  • Difficulty swallowing.

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How Should I Change My Diet

If you don’t eat certain foods, your throat problems may get better. Here’s a list of foods you should try not to eat :

Tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, chili and pizza

  • Spicy foods

  • Mint flavoring, like peppermint and spearmint

  • Citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruit

  • Drinks with caffeine, like coffee, tea and cola

  • Chocolate

  • Fatty foods, like french fries and donuts

  • Is It Gas Pain Or A Heart Problem

    what does heartburn feel like

    Its perfectly normal to pass gas between 10 and 20 times a day. At the same time, its understandable to be worried if you feel chest pain after eating a meal. After all, if its gas, arent you supposed to feel it in your gut, not near your heart?

    While you may be simply feeling the sensation of gas pain in your chest, this pain could also indicate a serious heart issue. Learn how to determine if you or a loved one needs to seek medical attention.

    Please note, if you are still unsure if you are experiencing gas pain or a heart problem after reading this article, play it safe and go to the nearest emergency room to receive care.

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    What Are Heart Attack Signs

    Typical heart attack symptoms include:

    • Pressure, tightness, pain or a squeezing/aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back
    • Nausea or abdominal pain
    • Fatigue
    • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness

    For both men and women, the most common symptom of a heart attack is chest discomfort.

    Women usually experience some of the additional signs, such as jaw or back pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should take steps to get checked out right away.

    A Pharmacist Can Help With Indigestion

    A pharmacist can recommend medicines to ease the burning feeling or pain that can come with indigestion.

    Medicines that help reduce acid in your stomach include:

    • antacids
    • proton pump inhibitors

    Some indigestion medicines are best to take after eating as their effects last longer. Check the information leaflet that comes with the medicines for more information.

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    What Does Indigestion Feel Like Symptoms Throat Chronic Sore

    In the environment we live, viral infections are very common. This is called dysphagia, and to those experiencing it, it can feel like there is something stuck in the throat or esophagus and at times can be painful. It may even make your voice sound rougher. Acid reflux is the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease , but GERD is associated with other symptoms like nausea, dry cough, hoarseness, sore throat , trouble swallowing, and a feeling of a lump in the throat . Acid reflux occurs after a high fat or particularly large meal or after consuming alcohol.What Does Indigestion Feel Like Symptoms Throat Chronic Sore

    Location Of Chest Pain

    What Does Heartburn Feel Like?

    Both cardiac and noncardiac chest pain can occur in the center of the chest behind the breastbone.

    However, cardiac chest pain can spread across the chest and even affect other parts of the body, such as the:

    • arms
    • aching
    • burning

    In contrast, noncardiac chest pain tends to feel like an intense stabbing or burning sensation just beneath the surface of the skin.

    Coughing, breathing, or moving can affect the intensity of noncardiac chest pain, while the severity of cardiac chest pain usually remains stable, even when resting.

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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.

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    How Do Antacids Work To Treat Heartburn

    Antacids reduce the amount of stomach acid, relieving your heartburn. These medications can also be used to soothe stomach upset, indigestion and other pains in your stomach. Some antacids contain simethicone, which reduces gas. Antacids that you can get without a prescription include:

    • Tums®.
    • Maalox®.
    • Gaviscon®.

    Make sure you always follow the instructions on the package or talk to your doctor about the right way to use an antacid. If you use tablets, chew them well before swallowing for faster relief.

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    How Do Acid Blockers Work To Treat Heartburn

    Products like Pepcid AC® are called histamine H2 blockers, or acid blockers. Acid blockers reduce the production of stomach acid. They relieve heartburn, acid indigestion and sour stomach. Always follow the directions on the packaging or talk to your healthcare provider about how to take this medication. Acid blockers you can buy without a prescription include:

    • Pepcid AC®.
    • Tagamet HB®.

    Take your acid blocker medicine regularly for as long as directed by your healthcare provider, even if you do not have any pain or if your symptoms get better.

    Stronger acid blockers are prescription medications. These can be used to block stomach acid, treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and GERD. They work by reducing the production of stomach acid. Your healthcare provider will give you a specific prescription for this type of acid blocker.

    The United States Food and Drug Administration recently reported elevated levels of a possible carcinogen, NDMA, in the drugs ranitidine and nizatidine . You should speak to your healthcare provider if you are taking one these medications.

    Can’t I Just Take Over

    What Causes Bad Acid Reflux And Heartburn

    The amount of medicine in the over-the-counter drugs for heartburn is lower than the amount in the prescription form of these medicines. And before you try an over-the-counter medicine, it’s important to see your doctor. Your doctor will help you get a medicine that works well for you.

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    Heart Attack Or Heart Disease

    Chest pains called angina, which is due to the lack of blood flow to the heart, may feel similar to heartburn. Angina often feels like a squeezing, heaviness, or pressure on the chest. Patients with angina often feel a sudden tightness of the chest. This pain can get worse with physical activity or emotional stress. Unlike heartburn, wherein the pain moves vertically , angina pains may radiate towards the arms and the jaw. These chest pains, do not appear with oral symptoms of acidic or bitter tastes, which may be experienced with heartburn. Heart diseases often occur in situations with increased heart action, such as strenuous physical activity.

    How Does Heartburn Feel Like

    The feeling of heartburn

    A burning sensation behind your breastbone in your chest center is how many describe heartburn. Some folks say it is a burning feeling, but for others, it seems like pain, unease, or distress that may start in your abdomen or stretch up to your throat. Irrespective of how you explain it, however, the one crucial point to understand. The burning feeling is a mere symptom pointing to something else that may be wrong in your body. Identifying the root cause of the reason behind your symptoms is the key to finding permanent relief.

    Heartburn describes a set of symptoms caused by the reflux of stomach acid up into the esophagus . Its a burning sensation. You may feel it high in the abdomen or just below the base of the breastbone. Heartburn does not come from the heart but the stomach and esophagus.

    Heartburn often begins following a meal when there is lots of acidity in the stomach. It may also happen if you are bending over or lying down as gravity pulls acid from the stomach to the esophagus. It can be so irritating that it can wake you from sleep. The burning sensation can last minutes or more and can usually be relieved temporarily by swallowing antacids.

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