At one time or another, most adults have experienced the symptoms of heartburn.
If it was the first time, they may not have realized what was happening.
And in all likelihood they had no idea that when heartburn becomes persistent the result is acid reflux, a chronic condition that can have serious repercussions.
So let's take a look at the top four symptoms of heartburn and what they mean: 1.
Burping - this is a symptom that often goes unnoticed, but it's the way your body throws off some of the gas created when you've overeaten and your stomach acids are working over time.
The burping relieves the pressure of the gas which has escaped into the esophagus.
If you find yourself burping after every meal, you're eating too much and the muscle between your stomach and your esophagus isn't sealing properly.
2.
Nausea - this is a complicated symptom that may be the result of heartburn or other causes, which makes worthy of close attention.
It's often a symptom that pregnant women will associate with their heartburn.
But it can be a sign of gastritis, which is the inflammation of the lining of your stomach, or gastroparesis, a condition in which the muscles in your stomach don't function normally and food remains in the stomach too long.
If you're experiencing nausea with your heartburn, see your physician.
3.
Sore Throat - if you find yourself often experiencing a sore throat or hoarseness after a big meal or at the end of the day, with no accompanying flu or cold symptoms, this could be the result of stomach acids that have escaped the sphincter muscle above your stomach and moved up your esophagus into the back of your throat.
These acids damage the lining of your esophagus and throat, causing the soreness and hoarseness.
4.
A Burning Sensation - this, of course, is the primary symptom, the one you're most likely to experience.
It's a painful, burning sensation that settles in just below the breastbone.
It's the result of gastric acids rising into the esophagus and can be so painful that it's often mistaken for a heart attack.
Most heartburn episodes only occur occasionally.
However, those symptoms of heartburn that are persistent or (as in the case of a severe burning sensation) may indicate another condition, are generally reason enough to visit your physician.
If it was the first time, they may not have realized what was happening.
And in all likelihood they had no idea that when heartburn becomes persistent the result is acid reflux, a chronic condition that can have serious repercussions.
So let's take a look at the top four symptoms of heartburn and what they mean: 1.
Burping - this is a symptom that often goes unnoticed, but it's the way your body throws off some of the gas created when you've overeaten and your stomach acids are working over time.
The burping relieves the pressure of the gas which has escaped into the esophagus.
If you find yourself burping after every meal, you're eating too much and the muscle between your stomach and your esophagus isn't sealing properly.
2.
Nausea - this is a complicated symptom that may be the result of heartburn or other causes, which makes worthy of close attention.
It's often a symptom that pregnant women will associate with their heartburn.
But it can be a sign of gastritis, which is the inflammation of the lining of your stomach, or gastroparesis, a condition in which the muscles in your stomach don't function normally and food remains in the stomach too long.
If you're experiencing nausea with your heartburn, see your physician.
3.
Sore Throat - if you find yourself often experiencing a sore throat or hoarseness after a big meal or at the end of the day, with no accompanying flu or cold symptoms, this could be the result of stomach acids that have escaped the sphincter muscle above your stomach and moved up your esophagus into the back of your throat.
These acids damage the lining of your esophagus and throat, causing the soreness and hoarseness.
4.
A Burning Sensation - this, of course, is the primary symptom, the one you're most likely to experience.
It's a painful, burning sensation that settles in just below the breastbone.
It's the result of gastric acids rising into the esophagus and can be so painful that it's often mistaken for a heart attack.
Most heartburn episodes only occur occasionally.
However, those symptoms of heartburn that are persistent or (as in the case of a severe burning sensation) may indicate another condition, are generally reason enough to visit your physician.