Do You Know What Heartburn Feels Like?
What does heartburn feel like? Pyrosis, is the medical term used for heartburn and can be a very unpleasant condition. The main feeling of heartburn is a burning sensation, but identification of the condition can be determined via other factors. Heartburn pain will normally be below the breastbone or sternum. Heartburn is experienced at least once a week for about one in five people.
Heartburn is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter not functioning properly. Normally this sphincter is responsible for keeping the contents of the stomach contained in the stomach and separated from the esophagus. The burning painful sensation in the chest is created by the malfunction of the sphincter. This is due to the fact that the acidic contents of the stomach can travel up the esophagus.
Heartburn - how long does it last? Sufferers of heartburn will find that episodes can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. You will also find that the pain gets worse if you lie down. When eating it can feel like food gets stuck in the chest making it difficult to swallow. The burning sensation can also travel up the throat, or in some cases, it is experienced as a sour or acidic tasting fluid in the back of the throat.
The burning pain, although somewhat annoying is never more than that for most people. Frequent heartburn, however, in some instances, can result to further complications. Frequent heartburn over a long period of time can result in ulcers or even esophageal cancer. This is known as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
Smoking is a big contributing factor to heartburn, but lifestyle conditions can also play a big part. The likelihood of heartburn can be increased through obesity and pregnancy as they both put extra pressure on the stomach. Likewise, tight-fitting clothing or tight belts can cause similar pressure. The frequency of heartburn can be increased through stress or certain medications.
Those who have never had a medical diagnosis of the condition may wonder what does heartburn feel like.Angina, in addition, to other medical conditions can be mistaken for heartburn. If you suspect you may be suffering from heartburn, try making modifications to your diet and lifestyle that may be contributing, to see if it eases the frequency of the pain. Antacids should eliminate or at least lessen the pain on an acute basis. If you’re experiencing pain that radiates down your arms or to your shoulders, you should seek the advice of a medical professional, because you may be experiencing angina, which is a symptom of some heart conditions.
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