Heartburn – What Does It Feel Like?

Heartburn – what does it feel llike? 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 breastbone or sternum is the most common location for heartburn pain. About one in five people are estimated to experience heartburn at least once per week.

If the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly then this will cause heartburn. The contents of the stomach are normally kept in the stomach by this sphincter, it also separates the stomach 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.

Heartburn – how long does it last? 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. It can sometimes feel as though food gets stuck in the chest when eating and it can be difficult to swallow. In some cases, a sour or acidic taste may be experienced as the burning sensation travels up the throat.

The annoyance of the burning sensation, whilst painful, will never be more than that for most people. Frequent heartburn, however, in some instances, can result to further complications. Frequent heartburn is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and over the long term it can result in ulcers or even esophageal cancer.

Smoking can contribute to heartburn, in addition to other lifestyle conditions. Obesity and pregnancy can both put additional pressure on the stomach, increasing the likelihood of heartburn. Similar pressure can be caused by tight-fitting clothes or tight belts. Stress seems to contribute to heartburn and certain medications are known to increase the frequency of heartburn.

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. The pain can be eased for frequent sufferers by modifying your diet and lifestyle. The pain should be lessened or eliminated at least on an acute basis by the antacids. Pain that runs down your arms or radiates to the shoulder, could mean more serious conditions and medical advice should be sought instantly.