Most times when we experience heartburn, we blame it on the spicy meal we ate. However, asides food, being overweight, smoking, & even your sleeping position can cause heartburn.
1. What is heartburn?
Heartburn is that awful burning sensation in your chest or throat, usually when acid rises up from your stomach. It is a symptom. It is not necessarily a disease but an indicator of irritation or disease depending on the severity.
The condition can be a symptom of conditions like – GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) caused by long term acid refluxing back into the esophagus. If it occurs as often as 3 times a week, it could point to conditions like scleroderma and sarcoidosis, heart attack.
Symptoms of heartburn include:
•Burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night when asleep
•Pain that worsens when lying down, bending over or after a heavy meal.
•Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth.
2. Foods that cause or triggers heartburn
- alcohol, particularly red wine.
- black pepper, garlic, raw onions, and other spicy foods.
- tomatoes
- citrus fruits and products, such as lemons, oranges, and orange juice.
- coffee and caffeinated drinks, including tea and soda.
- peppermint.
- chocolate
- Salty foods
- Beans (very common)
- Milk
- Fatty meats (oil meat)
2. Is heartburn the same as acid reflux?
No. Acid reflux is a common medical condition that can range in severity from mild to serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. Heartburn may be a symptom but they’re not the same.
It is not a condition on its own, and it has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, it is a symptom of acid reflux. If symptoms of acid reflux occur frequently, it can indicate that a person has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Distinguishing between heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD may be hard, because they may all feel the same at the moment. However, understanding the differences can help a person find the right treatment.
3. Is heartburn related to a heart attack?