Heartburn & Indigestion
Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It involves the esophagus and the stomach. The esophagus passes behind the breastbone alongside the heart. The irritation that takes place there feels like a burning feeling in the heart. Indigestion is a general term for discomfort in the abdomen that comes after eating.
Signs & Symptoms
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•A burning feeling behind the breastbone occurs after eating.
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•Chest pain is felt when you bend over or lie down.
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•Your mouth has a bitter, hot, or sour taste.
Causes
Gastric acids from the stomach splash back up into the lower portion of the esophagus. This causes pain. The medical term for this is gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). The digestive acids don’t harm the stomach. It has a coating to protect it. The esophagus doesn’t. Acids there cause pain.
Common Heartburn Triggers
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•Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, arthritis medicine, or corticosteroids.
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•Heavy meals. Eating too fast. Chocolate. Garlic. Onions. Peppermint. Tomatoes and citrus fruits.
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•Smoking or lying down after eating.
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•Drinking alcohol or coffee (regular or decaffeinated).
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•Being very overweight.
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•Wearing tight clothing.
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•Swallowing too much air.
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•Stress.
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•Pregnancy.
Treatment
Self-care treats most cases of this common problem. Heartburn symptoms can be confused, though, with ones of a heart attack or other medical problems.