Posts Tagged ‘reflux disease’
Heartburn is a Burning Sensation
Heartburn is a burning sensation that many people can feel after eating, this sensation will start in the stomach and work its way up to the esophagus. Heartburn does not affect the heart itself but gets its name from the burning sensation that we feel in our chests when suffering from heartburn.
There is Three Classifications for Heartburn
• Mild Heartburn
• Minor Heartburn
• Severe or Chronic Heartburn
Heartburn can be classified in three different factors: minor or mild heartburn, moderate or normal heartburn and chronic or severe heartburn. It depends on the type of heartburn that you are suffering with the type of pain you will feel, the intensity of the pain and most of all the duration of the pain. This pain can be described as a short painful shock in our chests and stomachs or as an ongoing pain that burns our whole torso from the bottom of our stomachs to the top of our esophagus.
Mild Heartburn
If you suffer only with a mild heartburn then you will probably feel the effects of the heartburn maybe once a month at the most. This heartburn is not very painful and will not cause you a lot of discomfort. Also it can be treated quickly and effectively with antacids that are available in any drug store or pharmacy.
Moderate Heartburn
If you only suffer with a moderate type of heartburn you will probably feel the effects of the heartburn a number of times during the month at the most. This type of heartburn will normally cause a bit more pain and burning sensations than if you suffered from a mild heartburn, but can be treated as quickly as mild heartburn but the medication must be more constant. Other ways to reduce moderate heartburn is to find out what food causes you to suffer and reduce them.
Chronic or Severe Heartburn
If you suffer with chronic or severe heartburn you are likely to suffer with it on a daily basis or nearly a daily basis. Also this type of heartburn cannot be treated in the same way as the other two types of heartburn and because it is more constant. The pain is also more severe and the burning sensation in your chest will last for a lot longer. Antacids can be taken but they will not be able to relieve the pain completely and because of this it is better to speak to your doctor so he/she can provide a better medication.
It has been proven that people can suffer with heartburn due to various aspects of their day to day lifestyle including an irregular diet, too much alcohol, eating too much and just before sleeping and daily stress. Specialists recommend immediate treatment if you are suffering from any type of heartburn to make sure that this heartburn does not get any worse.
What is heartburn for most people is not life-threatening, but if not dealt with appropriately can lead to other illnesses, including GERD or gastro esophageal reflux disease. As with any health condition, the best course of action is to seek medical attention promptly.
What Heartburn Feels Like
Anyone with a penchant for big meals probably has had heartburn once or twice. Some of us tend to feel this pain a lot more than others. Actually answering the question "what does heartburn feel like?" is actually trickier than you might think. When we think of heartburn, we think of the dull, burning pain in the heart. True heartburn has nothing to do with that vital organ, however. Heartburn happens in the esophagus, the food chute from our mouth to our stomachs, where some stomach acid came up to cause that pain. Since the burning usually feels somewhere near to where we think the heart might be, it tends to confuse some to think of it as their heart that is hurting.
Heartburn or Angina?
The problem is that angina and heart attacks can feel a lot like heartburn. Keep this is mind if you or your family have some history of heart trouble. If you have had a history of it, you want to play it very safe and never dismiss any chest pains you might be feeling. Always consult a doctor when determining when it is safe to assume a chest pain is heartburn or something more serious.
If you're one of those people who feel like you've had heartburn every other day, you might treat it as such as long as it feels the same as all the other times (consult your doctor, as always, to determine if this is a safe move for you). If you decide to attack your problem like it's heartburn, there are some things you can try.
If your heartburn usually happens when you lay down to sleep, try propping yourself up so your head is above your stomach and feet. Gravity may help keep the acid at bay. Some people like drinking lots of water to ease the symptoms—if this works for you, great! But for most people, this may not be practical right before bedtime.
Self Medicating Options
If you feel the need to medicate it, you can try your own solution of baking soda and water (unless you are watching your salt intake for health reasons such as hypertension, pregnancy or nursing). You can also try antacids that are sold in myriads of brands and colors. They often work, but reportedly not for long. Other medications slow the stomach's production of its acid, but these are said to take a longer time to work—but they may last for a longer period of time.
If you are having repeated problems of heartburn, you really should see a doctor. Even if you feel confident that it's only a case of heartburn, it could be something like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Sometimes called acid reflux but even more serious condition that appears the same is heart related issue. Get advice before it gets worse.
You've got a lot of company when you've got heartburn. Rather than wondering what does heartburn feel like, just play it safe and get your doctor's advice and get it treated properly. It will be well worth it to not have to deal with the pain and inconvenience of heartburn.