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Do you suspect you’re suffering from heartburn? If so, you’re probably feeling a burning sensation in your chest/throat. It isn’t a very nice feeling at all. It occurs when acid rises from your stomach, because a muscle is either too weak or too slow. Sometimes, you may even panic thinking that there’s something more serious wrong with you and your heart. How do you handle this situation? Simply take something for relief? Get an appointment with your doctor? Or take yourself to the hospital? This post will clue you up on heartburn, so you know exactly what to do:
The Definition of Heartburn
Acid indigestion is another term for heartburn. It happens when your stomach acid backs up into the throat. More specifically, the tube food goes down and into your stomach. This issues can come from a muscle that relaxes at the wrong time. This muscle is found between your stomach and throat. When you experience this feeling, it’s because it doesn’t close quickly enough and it doesn’t prevent the acid from making it’s way up. This is what causes heartburn. If you get this feeling a lot, you may have something called GERD.
Worried it May Be Your Heart?
Lots of people who suffer from heartburn, panic and think that it’s their heart that is the problem. It usually isn’t, but there are some symptoms that indicate you should get medical help if you’re suffering from them at the same time as that heartburn feeling. If you’re sweaty, feel short of breath, and have palpitations you should seek medical help. This indicates that it may be your heart that is the problem.
If you often experience the feeling after a meal, then it’s more than likely heartburn.
However, it isn’t just eating that can cause heartburn. Lifting heavy things can too. Even just regular exercise can cause heartburn, but overweight people are more likely to experience it from this.
What to Do About Heartburn
You shouldn’t consider heartburn as ‘normal’. It can affect your life. It can stop you from doing certain activities, and eating certain foods. It can even stop you from sleeping. If you’re constantly reaching for heartburn medication, you should go visit a doctor. If you’re experiencing heartburn more than once a week for a long period of time, make sure you get a doctor’s appointment. Here are a few things you can do to get heartburn relief:
- Avoid meals that are too heavy.
- Don’t lie down after a meal.
- Cut down on foods that cause your heartburn.
- Reduce stress.
- Stop smoking.
- Take medication before going to the gym.
- Surgery could be the answer if none of the above steps work.
By now, you should have a good idea whether or not the symptoms you are experiencing are heartburn. If it is heartburn, monitor when you get it so you can work out the cause. Remember to book a doctor’s appointment if you’re getting it regularly. If you’re experiencing palpitations and sweating with the burning sensation, make sure you seek help straight away.
