Do You Know What Heartburn Feels Like?

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Heartburn - what does it feel llike? Pyrosis, is the medical term used for heartburn and can be a very unpleasant condition. 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. Normally this sphincter is responsible for keeping the contents of the stomach contained in the stomach and separated from the esophagus. The acidic contents of the stomach will travel up the esophagus if the sphincter malfunctions, this is what creates the burning sensation in the chest.

How long does hearburn last? Heartburn pain lasts anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and often worsens when the patient is lying down. When eating it can feel like food gets stuck in the chest making it difficult to swallow. In some cases, a sour or acidic taste may be experienced as the burning sensation travels up the throat.

While this painful, burning sensation is an annoyance, for most people it is never more than that. However, in some cases, frequent heartburn can lead to further complications. Gastroesophageal Reflux disease (GERD) is the medical term used for frequent sufferers of heartburn, this can result, over a long period of time into ulcers or even worse esophageal cancer.

Smoking can contribute to heartburn, in addition to other lifestyle conditions. Obesity and pregnancy can both put additional pressure on the stomach, increasing the likelihood of heartburn. Similarly, tight belts, along with tight-fitting clothes can cause added 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. 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. Symptoms of more serious heart conditions can be experienced. If this is the case you should see seek medical advice immediately, especially if the pain radiates down your arms or to your shoulders.

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