Identifying Severe Heartburn Symptoms

The cause of a malfunctioning sphincter is largely unknown. The number of possible cures is almost as large as the number of possible causes. Heartburn affects many people every day, and some suffer from it all day every day. However, there are preventive measures you can take to relieve heartburn symptoms and problems. You know you reached this stage when you experience heartburn almost constantly, after every meal or rather after anything you put into your mouth.

Heartburn is a common annoyance. The busy lifestyle, quick meals, fatty or spicy foods all contribute to the occasional need of a chewable pain reliever. The acceptance of heartburn as an inconvenient, but natural, part of the daily grind can blind you to the warning that a severe heartburn symptom can bring.

Heartburn as a Disorder

Heartburn can be a symptom as well as a disorder. Simple heartburn can be controlled and dealt with. However, heartburn can signal the presence of a much more serious problem. If it’s heartburn, you will have a burning sensation in the chest usually after eating. There may be a spread of the burning to the throat, sometimes accompanied by a bad taste, difficulty in swallowing, belching, coughing, hoarseness and/or wheezing.

It can become worse by lying down or bending over or by eating. Relief can come from an antacid. While the more severe heartburn symptoms may be mistaken for a heart attack, simple heartburn is usually not made worse by exercise. If there is any concern that the pain may signal a heart attack, get help quickly.

Heartburn as a Symptom

When the severe heartburn symptom is persistent and is accompanied by chest pain, morning hoarseness, trouble swallowing, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, a choking sensation, bad breath and/or a persistent dry cough, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

If the severe heartburn symptom is accompanied by a backflow of stomach contents into the back of the throat or esophagus, vomiting, a bad taste, frequent belching or hiccups, chest pain or pressure, a bloated feeling, abdominal discomfort or pressure after eating, gas, discomfort in the stomach or esophagus, coughing and/or difficulty swallowing, then you may be getting warnings of a hiatal hernia.

This is usually caused by heavy eating, oily foods, or eating too late past the meal time. Heartburn is a terrible affliction which causes a lot of pain and inconvenience even when it occurs occasionally. The same happens at Thanksgiving, Hanukah or any other celebration for that matter. While confusing heartburn with angina is not life threatening the other way round is, and is hence very dangerous. If you are a frequent sufferer, heartburn relief becomes even more crucial, since chronic heartburn can affect your quality of life.

As you can see many of these disorders have symptoms in common. The severe heartburn symptom can also be a sign of peptic ulcers, gastritis, gastroparesis (especially for diabetics) or the rare Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. If your severe heartburn symptom has other, more worrisome symptoms with it, see your doctor. Worrying about it can make your heartburn worse.

However, it does not have to be a rich meal to activate heartburn. For some, it is a daily occurrence, but for others it only flares up every once in a while. If that sphincter does not function properly, the acids will indeed back up into the esophagus. Many times, following a party, a picnic or simply a large meal you are attacked by acid reflux or heartburn. If you prefer a natural cure for heartburn over something wrapped in aluminum foil, there is hope for you. Usually, an antacid tablet or just a little time takes care of the problem and life goes on.