Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, occurs when the contents of the stomach move in a backward motion and into the esophagus. A severe form of acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn or acid reflux is a common digestive condition which affects more than 60 million Americans at least once in 30 days, with more than 15 million Americans experiencing this phenomenon every day. There are different heartburn symptoms and signs, the most common one being a burning sensation in the chest. The feeling in the stomach radiates up to the mid-chest or throat. It may also cause a bitter taste in the back of the mouth and often lead to struggle while swallowing and in some cases, it is known to develop breathing problems too.
Occasional heartburn is quite common and does not point to anything specific. Majority of the people are able to manage the discomfort caused by heartburn by introducing certain lifestyle changes along with some over-the-counter medications. However, if heartburn is more frequent and interferes with the daily routine, it is an indication pointing to a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
Common heartburn symptoms and signs
Causes of Heartburn
Several factors may lead to heartburn and make it worse. These include mainly include factors related to food, lifestyle or health or a combination of all.
Dietary habits that trigger heartburn are:
Lifestyle habits that cause heartburn include:
Medical reasons that can lead to heartburn are as follows:
If new symptoms of heartburn arise more than twice a week and aren’t calmed by over-the-counter antacids, it is best to see a doctor immediately. A doctor will accurately identify the heartburn symptoms and signs. Usually, they will suggest lifestyle modifications to treat heartburn symptoms and signs. The first thing to do when suffering from regular occurring heartburn is to avoid foods that are known to trigger heartburn. For instance, if you observe that after having spicy foods, your heartburn starts acting up then you should avoid having hot ingredients altogether. Heartburn treatments also involve learning how to sleep correctly to prevent nighttime heartburn.
Sedentary lifestyle and obesity are the most common causes of heartburn. Thus it is advised to exercise regularly for a minimum of 30 minutes every day to reduce weight, inflammation levels, and also to cope with stress and improve quality of sleep. Nevertheless, it is essential to strike a balance, too much exercise can often take a toll on the immune system. You can opt for low-impact workouts like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and jogging. Also, it is necessary to consume digestive enzymes to maintain the pH balance in the stomach. This can be done by having a tablespoon of vinegar with a very small amount of water before having meals.
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