Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening, it's called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The main symptoms of acid reflux are: You may also have: Symptoms are often worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over. Lots of people get heartburn from time to time. There's often no obvious reason why. Sometimes it's caused or made worse by: Simple lifestyle changes can help stop or reduce heartburn. eat smaller, more frequent meals raise the head end of your bed by 10 to 20cm, so your chest and head are above the level of your waist, which can stop stomach acid travelling up towards your throat try to lose weight if you're overweight try to find ways to relax Don’t
A pharmacist can help with heartburn and acid refluxSpeak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn. They may recommend medicines called antacids or alginates that can help ease your symptoms. It's best to take these with food or soon after eating, as this is when you're most likely to get heartburn. They may also work for longer if taken with food. Although antacids and alginates help symptoms in the short term, they will not cure the problem and should not be taken regularly for long periods. If you’re pregnant, a pharmacist can advise you about medicines you can take. Find a pharmacy Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
A GP can provide stronger treatments and help rule out any more serious causes of your symptoms. If at any time you feel your symptoms are getting worse, contact a GP or NHS 111. Treatment for heartburn and acid reflux from a GPIf you have acid reflux, a GP may prescribe a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces how much acid your stomach makes. PPIs include:
You'll usually need to take this type of medicine for 4 or 8 weeks, depending on how serious your acid reflux is. Go back to the GP if your symptoms return after stopping your medicine. You may need a long-term prescription. Important: ImportantIf a PPI does not help, your doctor may suggest trying a different type of medicine called a H2 receptor antagonist. Tests and surgery for heartburn and acid refluxIf medicines do not help or your symptoms are severe, a GP may refer you to a specialist for:
Page last reviewed: 09 September 2020
What is the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn describes a feeling of burning, pain, or discomfort in the chest that can be quite uncomfortable. You also may a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth, and it usually occurs after you eat a big meal or when you lay down. Not everyone with GERD will experience heartburn. Other symptoms of acid reflux include regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth, a bitter taste in the mouth, upset stomach, belching, nausea after eating, feeling full, stomach and upper abdomen bloating, dry cough, wheezing, hoarseness, feeling of tightness in the throat, and in some people, vomiting. Differences between symptoms of heartburn vs. acid refluxHeartburn, a symptom of acid reflux, and feels like a burning pain or discomfort in the chest, around the area of the heart. Acid reflux may include heartburn symptoms. Other common symptoms of acid reflux include:
Acid reflux (GERD) and heartburn may cause chest pain, when after eating or when lying down. See your doctor if you have any chest pain that is not diagnosed because chest pain may be a sign of a heart attack or another serious heart condition. If you have been diagnosed as having acid reflux by your doctor or other health care professional, and your symptoms change suddenly or worsen acutely, seek medical care right away to make sure this chest pain is not associated with a heart attack or other serious medical conditions. What causes heartburn vs. acid reflux?Common causes of acid reflux (and therefore heartburn) include:
Foods that aggravate heartburn and acid refluxFoods that may cause or aggravate acid reflux and heartburn include:
How can my doctor tell if I have heartburn or acid reflux?A medical doctor can often diagnose GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and heartburn by your description of the symptoms your experience. You may see a gastroenterologist, a medical specialist in disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, who may order an upper GI series. This is a series of X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the intestine often used to rule out other health conditions. An upper GI endoscopy, where a flexible probe with a tiny camera at the end is passed down your throat to see the esophagus. This helps diagnose how severe your acid reflux is, and can also rule out other health complications. If your symptoms are not clearly from acid reflux, your doctor may perform other tests to rule out important conditions like heart attack, ulcers, lung problems, esophagus problems, and gastritis. What Does Heartburn Feel Like?Heartburn feels like a burning pain in your chest, that may be very bothersome or painful. You also may have a bitter or sour taste in your throat or mouth. Heartburn actually is a symptom of acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Talk with your doctor or other health care professional if your concerned about heartburn. How are heartburn and acid reflux treated?In some cases, reflux and heartburn symptoms you experience may be relieved with diet and lifestyle changes such as:
If diet and lifestyle changes and OTC medications don’t make a difference in relieving your condition, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your reflux and heartburn such as:
Is there a cure for heartburn or acid reflux?Most of the time, diet and lifestyle changes can help relieve or cure symptoms of acid reflux (GERD) and heartburn. In some cases over-the-counter or prescription drugs may be needed. In rare cases, a last resort to cure acid reflux is a surgery called fundoplication. During this surgery, a surgeon wraps part of the stomach around the esophagus like a collar, which works to increase pressure in the lower esophagus to keep acid from backing up.  QUESTIONGERD is the back up of stomach acid into the esophagus. See AnswerMedically Reviewed on 9/28/2021 References American Academy of
Family Physicians. "Heartburn." March 2014. NIH; The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center. "Definition & Facts for GER & GERD." November 2014. <http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/ger-and-gerd-in-adults/Pages/definition-facts.aspx> The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. August 2016. 5 July
2017 What do acid reflux feels like?It's a painful burning sensation in the middle of your chest caused by irritation to the lining of the esophagus caused by stomach acid. This burning can come on anytime but is often worse after eating. For many people heartburn worsens when they recline or lie in bed, which makes it hard to get a good night's sleep.
How do I know if it's heartburn?Symptoms of heartburn include: A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night. Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over. A bitter or acidic taste in the mouth.
What are the 4 types of acid reflux?GERD is broken down into different stages based on how serious your symptoms are and how often they occur:. Stage 1: Mild GERD. Minimal acid reflux occurs once or twice a month. ... . Stage 2: Moderate GERD. ... . Stage 3: Severe GERD. ... . Stage 4: Precancer or cancer.. |
Whats the difference between heartburn and acid reflux
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