What Does Heartburn Feel Like?

What does heartburn feel like? Heartburn, medically termed pyrosis, is an 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.

Does heartburn last long? Sufferers of heartburn will find that episodes can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. You will also find that the pain gets worse if you lie down. When eating it can feel like food gets stuck in the chest making it difficult to swallow. The burning sensation can also travel up the throat, or in some cases, it is experienced as a sour or acidic tasting fluid in the back of the throat.

The burning pain, although somewhat annoying is never more than that for most people. Further complications can follow on, in some cases, for those of you who suffer from heartburn frequently. 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 is a big contributing factor to heartburn, but lifestyle conditions can also play a big part. 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. Certain medications along with stress can be contributing factors to the frequency of heartburn episodes.

Those who have never had a medical diagnosis of the condition may wonder what does heartburn feel like.  In addition, other medical conditions can be mistaken for heartburn, such as angina. Changing your diet and lifestyle can relieve those suffering from heartburn substantially as food is a contributing factor. Antacids should eliminate or at least lessen the pain on an acute basis. If you’re experiencing pain that radiates down your arms or to your shoulders, you should seek the advice of a medical professional, because you may be experiencing angina, which is a symptom of some heart conditions.