What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is an agonizing state concentrating in the digestive track, but not the heart. Because the agony usually comes from the chest area, it is possible for the victims to mistake the symptoms of heartburn with a heart attack.

Heartburn is in fact the consequence of stomach acids responding robustly to particular foods during the eating and digestive process. This result's in stomach acid being forced up into the vulnerable esophagus. When this occurs the acid will burn the esophagus and the individual experiencing this will suffer a moderate to severe pain sensation.

Under the optimal conditions, the esophagus which leads from the stomach to the mouth should never be exposed to the acids produced in the stomach. The stomach is enclosed by a coating of mucus that guards it from it's vigorous digestive liquids.

Where as the esophagus does not have any defence from the corrosive affects of stomach acids. It has a sphincter muscle that should work in one direction and one direction only. If this valve becomes frail or inundated the contents from the stomach may be regurgitated back up into the esophagus and bring about heartburn.

The cause of heartburn is usually the stomach being overwhelmed by unnecessary foods that produce excess stomach acid that can not be absorbed by those particular food items. The effect is often a burning feeling and may result in an unexpected impulse to throw up. Acute heartburn occurrences can lead to unbearable discomfort and a struggle to even speak.

Sporadic heartburn is not usually risky, but persistent heartburn can signify a critical health condition. This can eventually progress into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if not treated or you do not make lifestyle and dietary changes. Heartburn is an every day incidence for about fifteen percent of Americans and up to sixty percent of pregnant women will experience it.

Roughly twenty-five percent of us will experience heartburn at least once monthly. The best way to permanently control these painful incidents is to change to an Acid Reflux Diet. Short term relief can be found in over-the-counter treatments, prescription medications and antacids.

For those who endure moderate heartburn they can usually find comfort from these remedies. But for the ten to twenty percent of adults who have server heartburn they really will need to change there diet for long term relief.