What exactly is heartburn? Heartburn symptoms usually involve a burning sensation or pain behind the breastbone after eating. Heartburn is actually a condition that happens when gastric contents back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation. It’s also sometimes called heartburn and gastroesophageal refractory disease (GERD), although it’s important to note that these terms are not interchangeable. Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux are three separate conditions.
There are many different types of heartburn symptoms that may occur. Common signs and symptoms include: heartburn usually takes place after a meal or at bedtime, heartburn symptoms can also be caused by other things such as the use of certain medications, stress, or even poor posture. For some people, heartburn symptoms don’t occur at all. In these cases, it may take some time before any discomfort is felt.
The best way to avoid heartburn symptoms is to stay away from the foods that cause this uncomfortable sensation. That being said, however, most people do experience occasional heartburn, especially if they consume large amounts of acidic foods or if they have certain types of sedentary lifestyles. There are a number of home remedies for heartburn symptoms that can be effective in combating this symptom. For instance, if you’re suffering with heartburn symptoms because you eat too much food, then chewing some gum may provide some relief.
Spicy foods can often make heartburn symptoms get worse. For this reason, people who frequently eat spicy foods (such as chili or curry) should try to limit their intake or eliminate spicy foods from their diets entirely. Some spices that are known to make heartburn symptoms worse include mustard seeds, black pepper, and cayenne. Eating small amounts of ginger and fresh garlic are also often helpful. If you find that these traditional spices aren’t enough to counteract the effects of spicy foods, then you may want to consider taking an herbal tea like Peppermint tea instead.
If you are suffering from heartburn and your stomach contents are sticking to your throat and in your mouth, then you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux, which is essentially a condition in which your acid levels become too elevated in your stomach. For mild symptoms of this condition, you can simply lower the level of acid production by drinking more water, eating more fibrous foods, or using an antacid product such as Zantac or Tums. For more severe heartburn symptoms, you’ll likely require medical care. If you are suffering with gastroesophageal reflux, you should immediately stop consuming fatty foods and avoid spicy foods.
Heartburn, unlike the common acid indigestion, is not a life threatening condition. However, if you are experiencing chest pain or discomfort while swallowing, you should consult your physician. These symptoms can also be indicative of more serious conditions such as peptic ulcers or esophagitis, and should be looked into immediately. To prevent further complications, you should also stay away from certain foods that can irritate your throat, like peppermint, chocolate, and onions.