Indigestion and heartburn are considered by many to be one and the same, when in fact, they are not. Thesymptoms of heartburn and indigestion can be similar, however, and the conditions often occur simultaneously,which can make the identification somewhat difficult.

Symptoms of Indigestion

Indigestion is often described as a feeling of fullness or discomfort while eating or after a meal. Similar toheartburn, indigestion often involves a burning sensation, although with indigestion it is typically felt more in theupper stomach area, rather than behind the breastbone. Indigestion can also involve an acidic taste in the mouth,another symptom it shares with heartburn. Other symptoms of indigestion include bloating, gas and abdominalpain.

Heartburn often accompanies indigestion, although heartburn is the leaking of stomach acids into the esophagus.Indigestion and heartburn do share some underlying causes, however, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) and a number of lifestyle conditions, including smoking, stress, alcohol consumption and eating certainfoods, eating too much, or eating too fast.

Pregnancy is also a cause of both indigestion and heartburn. Hormones and the added pressure on the stomach bythe expanding uterus are both believed to be contributing factors to heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Heartburn

While the causes of heartburn vary from person to person, the symptoms of heartburn are fairly consistent formost individuals. A burning sensation in the chest and even in the throat is the most common identifiable symptomof heartburn. Burning sensations shouldn’t be confused with pain. Actual pain in the chest that radiates to the armsor shoulders should be evaluated immediately, because it can indicate more serious conditions, such as a heart at-tack.

Other symptoms of heartburn include a hoarse sounding voice, sore throat, acidic or salty taste in the mouth,regurgitation or a feeling that foods are getting stuck in the throat or chest. Heartburn symptoms usually presentthemselves soon after a meal and can last from a few minutes to a few hours. Often, symptoms worsen when lyingdown. Most heartburn should respond to antacids. Pain that does not lessen with antacid treatment should beevaluated by a medical professional.

If you become dizzy, lightheaded, experience a cold sweat, or have pain that appears very suddenly and worsens,seek the advice of a medical professional to be evaluated for possible heart conditions. Learning to identify thesymptoms of heartburn and indigestion is important, particularly if you are at risk for developing heart conditions.Learning to recognize heartburn and indigestion can leave you better able to distinguish the symptoms from thoseof more serious conditions. If you encounter unusual symptoms you may otherwise have mistaken for symptoms ofheartburn and indigestion, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms of Heartburn and Indigestion

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