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Heartburn

The symptoms of heartburn are hard to ignore. You've just eaten a big meal and your chest starts to hurt so much it feels like it's on fire. Heartburn is caused when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation. Almost everyone experiences heartburn at some point in their life.

Heartburn is common, and an occasional episode is generally nothing to worry about. However, many people battle heartburn — a burning sensation in the esophagus , just below or behind the breastbone — regularly, even daily. Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a disease in which stomach acid or occasionally bile flows back (refluxes) into your esophagus. Chronic heartburn can be a serious problem, and it deserves medical attention.

Heartburn can be triggered by eating the wrong foods - including acidic, spicy, or fatty food or even over-eating before bedtime. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications. But if heartburn is severe, these remedies may offer only temporary or partial relief. Heartburn may also be an indication of a medical condition such as Hiatus Hernia, or even pregnancy.

Generally it is lifestyle choices and habits that are to blame for heartburn, like undue stress, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Exercises that involve lying down or bending over on a full stomach can also trigger heartburn or any exercises that cause increased pressure on the abdomen.

Heartburn from pressure on the abdomen also results from obesity and wearing tight clothes.

Occasional bouts of heartburn are considered normal and nothing to worry about.

Directory of Articles about Heartburn

Heartburn Cause
Learn which foods and which physical conditions cause heartburn

Heartburn Diary
Use this free diary to keep track of your heartburn symptoms. Determine what foods and activities trigger the symptoms, how frequent and how severe. This log can help you and your doctor diagnose and manage your condition.

Heartburn Symptoms
Be certain it is heartburn and not another condtion. Here are some common triggers and the resulting symptoms.

Heartburn Remedies
Our list of the top 20 heartburn remedies. Includes the most effective all-natural heartburn remedies

Chewing Gum After a Meal Can Prevent Heartburn
Studies show that chewing gum after a meal can significantly reduce the severity of heartburn....

Acid Heartburn
Learn how to cope with acid heartburn. Quick remedies and when you need to see a doctor.

Is My Heart is Causing My Chest Pain?
The pain caused by heartburn causes chest pain which is sometimes confused with heart attack. The pain can be very similar, but the consequences are drastically different...

Chest Symptoms from Heartburn
Heartburn an cause other symptoms in your chest, including persistent coughing and irritation of your throat. It can worsen asthma symptoms and lead to pain and difficulty breathing...

Conditions Other than Heartburn that Cause Chest Pain
A number of conditions can mimic heartburn - quick summaries of pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, pericarditis and other conditions that cause chest pain...

Heartburn During Prenancy
Changing hormone levels during pregnancy can generate heartburn, because they relax the muscles of the digestive tract and also influence how you tolerate food...

Heartburn After Pregnancy
Frequent bouts of heartburn after delivery has come and gone may be a sign of something more serious than discomfort...

By Mortin - Copyright 2010
Last modification 05/02/2010