Heartburn: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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Heartburn
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Heartburn

• Heartburn is a health condition that is
  torturing millions of people around the world.
  Some sufferers confuse the symptoms of heart burn
  with heart attack. Heartburn is not related to
  heart. Heart burn is related to the digestive
  system. It is a painful burning discomfort felt
  in the chest, just behind the breastbone. The
  burning sensation results when stomach acids back
  up into the oesophagus, but many different things
  may lead to heartburn and may be referred to as
  causes of heartburn. Heartburn symptoms are often
  referred to as indigestion.

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What are the causes of heartburn?

• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Sleeping or lying down immediately after eating
• Carrying excess weight or suffering from obesity
• Eating chocolates
• Consuming citrus fruits (they have a high content
  of acid like substances in them)
• Drinking any form of coffee or drinks which
  contain caffeine
• Certain carbonated drinks
• Eating tomatoes and onions
• Eating oily, spicy and fatty foods

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Symptoms

• Symptoms of heartburn in men
• Pain in the chest, particularly while bending,
  lying down, or eating.
• Flaring sensation in the throat or sour, warm,
  acidic or salty-tasting liquid rising in
  the throat.
• Problems in swallowing anything.
• Irritating feeling in the chest at the back of
  the breastbone that arises after eating and lasts
  for a while (approx 20-30 min).
• Feeling of food getting stuck while going down
  the chest or throat.
• Heartburn might give rise to chronic
  cough, soreness in the throat, or chronic
  hoarseness.
• Symptoms of heartburn in women
• Burning sensation in the throat

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Symptoms
Continue

• Chest pain
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Difficulty and pain while swallowing
• Symptoms of heartburn in children 
• Chest pain is one of the symptoms. The acid makes
  its way into the oesophagus, and causes pain
  behind the breastbone and sometimes also in the
  throat.
• When the stomach acids flow backward into the
  oesophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the
  throat and lower oesophagus.
• Most infants, when they suffer from heartburn,
  bend their back, while being fed.
• If the child refuses to eat, it can be a warning
  sign.

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Symptoms
Continue

• Most infants and children vomit, which is a
  symptom of indigestion and heartburn.
• If your child suffers from regular bouts of
  choking or gagging, it can be attributed to
  heartburn. 
• Many times, breathing problems are looked upon
  as respiratory tract problems, but they can also
  result from gastrointestinal problems.
• The child can cry frequently, be fussy, and may
  not be able to say it.

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Treatments

• Lose weight if you suffer from obesity
• Take an antacid as this will neutralize the
  effect of the acids that are produced in the
  stomach 
• Quit smoking
• Eat a balanced diet and do not overeat
• Do not sleep or lie down for at least 2-3 hours
  after eating. Try and catch a few winks in a
  sitting position if sleep cannot be avoided
• Eat meals that have a high content of protein in
  them and are low in fat
• Avoid all those foods which can cause heartburn
  like chocolates, tomatoes, oily and fatty
  substances
• Do not wear tight and ill-fitting clothes as they
  can aggravate the heartburn

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Treatments
Continue

• If possible, dont completely lie down when you
  sleep. Either place 2-3 pillows under your head
  or raise the level of the head of the bed with
  the help of wooden blocks. This will help in
  preventing heartburn
• Eat a papaya. This has an enzyme called papain
  which helps to soothe the stomach
• Lying on your left side while sleeping reduces
  the chances of heartburn
• Though heartburn could be a minor indigestion
  problem, it should not be neglected. Excessive
  acid in the oesophagus can lead to more serious
  conditions like oesophageal bleeding and even
  ulcers or scars in that region. If any person is
  bothered by the above-mentioned symptoms
  persistently, he/she should visit a
  qualified gastroenterologist for proper treatment.

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