What is heartburn like

In addition to causing irritation of the esophagus, stomach acid also has the potential to come all the way up into the back of the throat.

It can then cause damage to the throat area leading to a burning sensation or hoarseness. If the contents of the stomach are able to travel up to the throat, which is sometimes referred to as regurgitation, you may experience a sour or acidic taste in the back of the mouth or throat. If you are experiencing chronic heartburn symptoms that occur two or more times a week, you may be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

This repeated or prolonged exposure to acidic content from the stomach may lead to damage of the esophageal lining.

GSK assumes no responsibility for the content on the website. If you do not wish to leave this website, do not click on the links above. Although different things may trigger heartburn, most people experience similar heartburn symptoms. Knowing what heartburn feels like and recognizing the symptoms you experience sooner can lead to earlier treatment—and relief. The most common symptom of heartburn is often described as an uncomfortable or painful "burning" sensation in the chest.

The pain may worsen when lying down or bending over, and it can last minutes or continue for a few hours. There are more uncommon heartburn symptoms you may not know: persistent hiccups, pain that radiates to your neck and shoulders, and finding it difficult or painful to swallow.

This includes reduced pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter that separates the esophagus from the stomach. This means acid can pass from the stomach to the esophagus more easily. The growing uterus also puts extra pressure on the stomach, which can worsen heartburn. Some of the hormones that help women maintain their pregnancy can also slow down digestion, increasing the risk of heartburn.

Pregnant women just usually experience it at higher rates than non-pregnant women. Doctors also call indigestion dyspepsia. This is a symptom that causes pain in the upper part of the stomach.

A person with indigestion may also have symptoms like:. Foods you eat cause both heartburn and indigestion. However, indigestion is the result of foods irritating the stomach and its lining. Heartburn is the result of acid refluxing up from the stomach. A person with gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD can have both indigestion and heartburn as part of their symptoms. GERD is a chronic form of acid reflux that can potentially damage the esophagus.

But not all heart attacks result in the classic, crushing chest pain you see on television and in movies. If you experience frequent heartburn episodes, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your symptoms.

Here are some examples:. For example, most pregnant women can resolve their symptoms taking medications like Tums, Rolaids, or Maalox. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health?

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