What does heartburn feel like? Heartburn can be mild or in some cases can cause severe discomfort, this is due to the burning sensation behind the breastbone (sternum). If you’re experiencing heartburn, particularly if you’ve never had it before, you may be wondering, how long does heartburn last?
You will not find a given time frame for heartburn unfortunately. Heartburn for some, can be a major problem that can last for days or even years, but for the majority it will last only a few minutes. In severe cases, episodes can last for several days, but in a lot of cases they can last just a few minutes. Heartburn that occurs frequently over several months may indicate that you have a more serious condition, known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
How long does heartburn last; this depends on a number of factors. A primary indicator of how long your symptoms may last are down to the underlying cause of the heartburn. If acid is creeping up into your esophagus from your stomach, this can be a sign that you have GERD. This means your symptoms may last longer due to the fact that the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning properly.Heartburn episodes can last longer also, if you are pregnant or obese as there is added pressure on the stomach.
If you have been eating spicy foods, then your heartburn is not likely to last as long as heartburn which is caused by other conditions. Heartburn that has been caused by food is usually gone within the space of several hours although some minor pain may linger for a day or so. Heartburn should stop quite soon after the offended foods have been fully digested.
Until the cause is identified and treated, there are many of you who will experience frequent attacks. For others, it will simply come and go. Some foods can actually cause heartburn for people who have a sensitive digestive system. The way around this is to determine which foods you are sensitive too and eliminate them.
The contribution of certain foods can bring on an heartburn episode. Foods such as chocolate, hot, saucy or spicy foods can be common culprits. Start by keeping track of the foods you’ve eaten recently prior to each attack and begin eliminating them one by one. Alcohol and caffeine can also contribute to heartburn, as well as certain medications, so keep tabs on everything you ingest prior to heartburn attacks.
Heartburn that lasts longer than several days or does not respond to antacids should be evaluated by a medical professional. In some cases, heart attacks, and more serious conditions have been disregarded as being heartburn. You should learn to differentiate between the symptoms for heartburn and the symptoms for angina, especially if you are at risk of heart conditions. This way, you can seek medical attention when it is required.
How long does heartburn last, is a question on many patients lips?Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered easily. Individual heartburn episodes can be different on everyone as we all respond differently to heartburn and the different remedies available. Natural remedies to reduce not only how many episodes you experience but the severity of heartburn can be found on the market today.
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