subject: Dealing With Your Heartburn Symptoms [print this page] Almost everybody has suffered from heartburn at some time or another in their lives. Sometimes it is triggered by having too much to eat at one sitting, or eating certain foods that are known to result in heartburn. The symptoms of heartburn, also called acid reflux, are typically a burning sensation in the chest and throat. The name and the symptoms can be a little misleading, however. Heartburn actually has nothing at all to do with your heart.
Heartburn is actually a condition of the throat, esophagus and the cardiac sphincter. It might feel like the pain is in your heart, but the truth is that the discomfort is simply taking place in the same general area. That's the reason why a lot of people think there may be a problem with their heart when they're actually dealing with acid reflux.
The signs of heartburn differ according to the individual, and won't always be the same each time you experience it. You'll start to feel the disagreeable symptoms in your chest first, and then they will move up to the throat. Commonly, heartburn is experienced as a highly uncomfortable burning feeling in the chest area. However, there are other symptoms to watch out for too. Included in this list are difficulty with swallowing, a feeling that there's something stuck in your throat, and pain or hoarseness in the throat. Heartburn may also produce a persistent cough or in some cases asthma-like symptoms of wheezing.
Prevention is the best cure for heartburn symptoms. Those who experience heartburn symptoms often will need to make certain changes to their habits if they want relief. For instance, it's essential that you keep your upper body erect after you've eaten. It's normally advisable that you stay seated, holding your head up and not lying down until well after you have digested your food. Another recommendation is to sleep with your head elevated, or even in a seated, upright position. The objective is to keep your entire upper body raised, not just your head.
You also need to be aware of the foods you eat. Take note of the foods that most frequently trigger a case of heartburn, and avoid them. You also need to be conscious of how much you're eating at one sitting. It's been established that eating large meals can stimulate the overproduction of stomach acid which can lead to heartburn. Consuming smaller meals more frequently will keep your stomach acid levels in line.
Visit your doctor if the condition persists or appears to worsen. You can get relief for your discomfort through various medications and treatments. Typically, your doctor will suggest some type of medication to neutralize stomach acids, in addition to changes to some of your habits.
