If you were one of those who were wondering what is heartburn, then reading this post should make you informed. In this post, we discuss what is heartburn, what are its symptoms, and usual courses of treatment. We also touch upon what is heartburn in relation to acid refux or GERD. And finally we discuss what is heartburn and how it could be distinguished from a heart attack.
What is Heartburn really?
Heartburn is a stinging or burning sensation felt in the chest area. This sensation can last for just a few minutes, or it can persist for hours. Heartburn can usually be felt after eating a large meal, after eating spicy or fatty dishes, or after lying down soon after eating. In some cases, heartburn is regularly experienced by people who have defective stomach sphincters; heartburn is sometimes just a part of a complex syndrome called GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Aside from a burning pain in the chest area (the adjacent areas may also be involved), a chronic sufferer from heartburn is likely to experience pain or difficulty in swallowing, a sour-smelling breath, and a hoarse throat. The last symptom is rather serious, as it indicates that the mucosa of the esophagus is already sustaining damage due to constant contact with stomach acids. A cough that won’t go away is also another red flag on cumulative mucosal damage.
The treatment for heartburn depends on its etiology, or the reason for occurrence. Occasional heartburn may need just a dose of antacid whenever attacks happen. If there is a deeper reason for heartburn such as extremely high stomach acid pH or inadequacy of normal stomach flora, clinical therapy will be initiated to correct it. Usually, people who experience heartburn on a recurring basis are found to have GERD or acid reflux, and they are placed on maintenance medication to protect their stomach linings from developing stomach ulcers. They may also be given medication that can lower or inhibit stomach acid concentration.
There are various manifestations of heartburn in terms of pain and intensity. Usually, the pain is just mild and tolerable although it may be accompanied by nausea and a feeling of having a blocked throat. Other times, the pain is so intense that a person may be fooled into thinking that he is having a heart attack. Due to the seriousness of a cardiac episode, it would be best to visit the emergency room immediately, if the pain persists or if it cannot be absolutely discounted as a heartburn episode.