It's never a pleasant sensation. Your mouth tastes nasty and your chest is burning one minute, then the next minute you are fine. The severity of heartburn symptoms can range from minor to severe. Heartburn can have a variety of symptoms, as well as a variety of reasons. We're looking into the burn in depth to assist you understand it and avoid it as much as possible.

What is the definition of heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that occurs behind your breastbone. It may migrate up into your neck or even into your nose at times. It's usually a sign of something else, like acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn is also a typical occurrence during pregnancy. A sour or acidic taste at the back of your throat may accompany the burning feeling. It's frequently triggered by something you've eaten or by lying down quickly after eating.

What Causes Heartburn and How Can It Be Prevented?

When stomach acid leaks into the esophagus, it causes heartburn. The stomach can handle digesting juices, but the esophagus is made up of far more delicate tissue. When stomach acid comes into contact with it, it generates a burning feeling.

Stomach acid can leave the stomach in a variety of ways. As previously established, GERD and acid reflux are two disorders that can cause heartburn. Acid reflux occurs when the esophageal sphincter, a muscle flap between your esophagus and stomach, relaxes when it shouldn't. Stomach acid can get past the flap and into your esophagus if this happens. A hiatal hernia is another reason of heartburn. This is a condition in which a part of the stomach swells into the chest cavity through a hole present in the diaphragm, enabling stomach acid to escape.

How Do I Get Rid of Heartburn?

If you have heartburn, you should talk to your doctor about your alternatives. Heartburn symptoms can be relieved by a variety of lifestyle adjustments and home remedies, but in certain situations, medication may be required. You can perform the following at home:

Foods that cause a reaction should be avoided- You'll probably be able to figure out which meals trigger heartburn and associated symptoms. If you avoid these foods, you can start to control your heartburn.

Dress in loose-fitting clothing- Tight clothing puts pressure on your stomach, which can induce or worsen heartburn symptoms.

When you're full, stop eating- Heartburn is a sign of overeating. Try eating four or five smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large meals.

Reduce your weight- Due to extra weight in your abdominal area, obesity can raise your risk of heartburn. If you're overweight, decreasing weight and keeping a healthy weight can help you avoid heartburn.

Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking- The esophageal sphincter muscle is influenced by both alcohol and smoking. Heartburn and its symptoms can be relieved by avoiding both of these.

Avoid eating too close to bedtime- It's advisable to have your final meal of the day several hours before you want to sleep. Instead of going to bed with a full stomach, you can give your body time to digest your last meal by leaving time between supper and bedtime.

In bed, raise your head and chest- While sleeping, resting on a wedge or raising yourself up in bed can help lower your risk of heartburn. Avoid stacking pillows and instead aim to elevate your head and chest above your feet.

Consult your GI doctor about your medication options. Heartburn can be treated with a variety of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. One or more of these medications may be prescribed by your doctor to help with your symptoms.

Although heartburn may appear to be a typical discomfort, its consequences can have a substantial influence on your everyday life. Speak with GI doctor here at our Digestive Disease Specialists to find out how we can help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.