Heartburn Symptoms - Know What They Are

Heartburn is a common experience, known and felt around the world. Some who experience heartburn symptoms are not aware of what they are, and may confuse them with other medical concerns.

It is important to know heartburn symptoms - to be able to distinguish them from symptoms of other medical concerns.

Related Phrases

Before you consider heartburn symptoms, you should know that several phrases are used for heartburn or closely-related concerns.

* Acid Indigestion
* Acid Reflux
* Acid Regurgitation
* Non-Cardiac Chest Pain
* Pyrosis
* Sour Stomach

The symptoms of each of these closely resemble heartburn symptoms.

Common Heartburn Symptoms

Heartburn symptoms are led by a feeling of burning, heat, pain, or warmth. It is most commonly felt behind the sternum - the central chest bone to which ribs are connected. The location may also be described as the upper abdomen. At times, the pain may spread upward as high as the neck. In severe cases, the burning can also be felt in the upper arms and back.

If you are experiencing heartburn, you may have trouble swallowing or burping. Heartburn may also cause nausea or bloating.

Heartburn symptoms can last up to 2 hours - or longer in some cases. Some people find that their heartburn symptoms make it difficult to sleep. Others find that heartburn symptoms cause a chronic cough or choking episodes.

Heartburn symptoms are most likely to be experienced after a meal, when bending at the waist, when lying down after a meal, or while sleeping at night.

CAUTION: Heartburn symptoms may feel similar to heart attack symptoms. If you have a history of heart problems, or you have risk factors that might lead to a heart attack, ask a physician about your heartburn symptoms, They may be a warning of more serious problems.