Heartburn - What Does It Feel Like?

Heartburn - what does it feel llike? Heartburn, is an unpleasant conditiion, medically termed pyrosis. Heartburn feels like a burning sensation in the chest, although other symptoms are also present that can aid in the identification of the condition. The most common location for heartburn pain is just below the sternum, or breastbone. People who suffer from heartburn which is said to be one in five of us, will experience heartburn at least once a week.

Heartburn is caused by the lower esophageal sphincter not functioning properly. This sphincter is normally the part of the body that keeps the contents of the stomach in the stomach. It also separates the contents of the stomach from the esophagus. If the sphincter malfunctions, the acidic contents of the stomach can travel up the esophagus, creating the burning and painful sensation in the chest.

How long does hearburn 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. A sour or acidic tasting fluid in the back of the throat may be experienced as the burning sensation travels through the body.

While this painful, burning sensation is an annoyance, for most people it is never more than that. Frequent heartburn, however, in some instances, can result to further complications. Frequent heartburn is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and over the long term it can result in ulcers or even esophageal cancer.

Lifestyle conditions can contribute to heartburn along with smoking. The likelihood of heartburn can be increased through obesity and pregnancy as they both put extra pressure on the stomach. Similar pressure can be caused by tight-fitting clothes or tight belts. Certain medications along with stress can be contributing factors to the frequency of heartburn episodes.

Those who have never had a medical diagnosis of the condition may wonder what does heartburn feel like.  In addition, other medical conditions can be mistaken for heartburn, such as angina. The pain can be eased for frequent sufferers by modifying your diet and lifestyle. The pain should be lessened or eliminated at least on an acute basis by the antacids. 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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