The Top Five Facts About Heartburn

Health and Wellness - Life Trials

By: BonnieDossKnight 17-Jan-2011

Browsing Health and Wellness Lists

Introduction:

Heartburn carries the correct name because the experience feels as if your heart is on fire. Heartburn symptoms may be mistaken for a heart attack and vice versa. Don't mess around if you are in doubt, seek immediate medical attention. Following are important facts to know about heartburn.

Symptoms of Heartburn

Stomach acids work hard to digest food. Since acids irritate the esophagus, backed-up acids can create a burning sensation above the rib cage. Here are common symptoms of heartburn: a burning sensation in the upper chest; coughing; constant clearing of throat; laryngitis and/or esophagus spasms.

Emotions Related to Heartburn

If you are a frequent heartburn sufferer, you may not be able to eat foods you love or enjoy certain pleasurable activities. You may not sleep well, which causes sleep deprivation and fatigue the following day. In fact, you could feel like a prisoner in your own body and refuse social invitations because of constant worry over when the next episode of heartburn will occur.

Medicinal Side Effects

Side effects of medicines may contribute to heartburn. Some medicines that create heartburn-like symptoms include: Aspirin, vitamins, iron supplements, pain relievers and/or certain antibiotics. Often these side effects can be controlled by taking with or without food as the accompanying literature suggests.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The chronic form of heartburn is referred to as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. If GERD is left untreated, it can permanently damage your esophagus; extreme cellular damage may lead to cancer.

Lifestyle Changes

The National Heartburn Alliance recommends lifestyle changes that drastically improve health and reduce heartburn symptoms: Losing weight; wearing loose fitting clothes (tight waistbands can worsen symptoms); eating slowly; avoiding overeating and refraining from eating before bedtime.

Their slogan is, "Fight acid creep while you sleep". If you will raise the head of your bed 4-6 inches you can prevent acid from creeping into your esophagus. You can either add another pillow or put bricks underneath the bed legs.

Final Thoughts

If you have not, you NEVER want to experience heartburn. I had it only one time, as a result of taking Lyrica, which was prescribed for Fibromyalgia. Fortunately I work for the Director of Nursing. She confirmed it was heartburn and that I was not dying of a heart attack.

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PriscillaBenfield 1/19/2011
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Good list. I have to add though that you should never assume it is heartburn. I thought it was and it was actually gallbladder troubles.
MonikaWeise 1/18/2011
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I have a loved one that suffers from heartburn. Thanks for these facts!
goodselfme 1/17/2011
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Important symptoms to know about heartburn since this is a real health issue with women.
penelope7 1/17/2011
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Thanks for the superb facts about heartburn. I have thought I was having a heart attack, which is the second leading cause of death in females during heartburn. Thanks. H5