Heartburn and heart attack, although two completely different things are closely associated because of their somewhat similar symptoms. Many have mistaken heartburn symptoms to be heart attack causing unnecessary trips to the emergency room. Knowing the difference between heartburn and heart attack symptoms can is helpful in avoiding needless panicking.
Heart Attack Vs Heartburn Symptoms
Heartburn
· Burning feeling in the chest
· Burning feeling in the throat
· Difficulty swallowing
· Wheezing or other asthma related symptoms
· Chronic coughing
· Nausea, belching and bloating
· Bitter taste in the mouth
Heart attack
· Chest pain that keeps getting worse
· Feeling pressure instead of just burning
· Excessive sweating
· Shortness of breath
If you have frequent heartburn, it could be easier for you to recognize heart attack however if you only think you are experiencing heartburn and yet the pain and pressure in your chest is spreading, it's best to call an ambulance immediately. Doctors often consider chest pain a heart attack symptom until proven otherwise.
Heartburn normally occurs after eating too much rich food: fatty, spicy, fried foods. Chocolate, coffee and alcohol are also usual causes of heartburn, and so is smoking cigarettes.
Eating too much rich food tends to relax the ring muscles or sphincter in the lower esophagus at the entrance to the stomach. The ring muscles are there to allow food to enter the stomach but prevent them from going back up. If the muscles are relaxed, then the sphincter won't close properly and acids and foods from the stomach can re-enter the esophageal tube and travel up the throat. When acids enter the esophagus, they burn the sensitive walls, and give the sensation of the chest burning. A sour taste is also left in the throat and mouth.
When acids and food frequently travel up the esophagus, this could to esophageal damage and even cancer. Serious health problems can be avoided however by trying to minimize intake of foods and beverages that trigger heartburn.
Heartburn Causing Foods
Foods that usually cause acid reflux and heartburn are tomatoes, crunchy foods like nuts, popcorn and crackers, fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, citrus fruits like grapefruits, lemons and oranges, coffee and tea, carbonated drink and alcoholic drinks. Some of these foods may not be your heartburn trigger and it is best to keep track of foods and beverages you take and observe if you get heartburn attacks soon after consuming them.
Food that are good for heartburn include bran, peas or broccoli, raspberries, beans, grains, some meat and dairy (chicken breast, fish and egg white) and fruits and vegetables like apples, peaches, melons, cabbage, carrots, and fennel.
Heartburn Remedies
Since heartburn is a common enough problem for millions, there are many available treatments that can offer relief from the uncomfortable symptoms. Many treatments are readily available over the counter like antacids which are reliable for fast relief. Acid blockers like proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers are for more serious heartburn and can be bought over-the-counter or prescribed.
There are also some severe heartburn sufferers who resort to surgical methods to repair damage done by acid to the esophagus however this is very uncommon. For long-term and safer remedy, it is always best to opt for natural treatment methods. Natural heartburn remedies generally promote overall health, successfully eliminating acid reflux problems as well as other underlying health risks.
Take a look here if you want to know more about the best natural heartburn remedies.
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