The festive season is fast approaching, and most people will be bingeing out with buffets, dinners, and parties. Naturally, eating will always be the main source of sustenance for us. But just like everything in life, too much of something can be detrimental to our health. If we eat too much, this can cause indigestion, which can cause our stomach to produce even more acid than usual, causing health complications with the throat and stomach in the form of heartburn.
Heartburn is known for being an uncomfortable experience, especially when you need to keep your composure when you’re at a party or in public. This is mostly caused by drinking carbonated drinks, too many alcoholic beverages, or eating food known for being acidic. It’s usually characterized by a burning sensation close to your heart but is actually on your chest and throat area. Most individuals will often confuse heartburn with GERD and other stomach diseases, but there are some differences.
To clearly understand this condition, we must discuss the symptoms and preventive measures.
Is It Serious?
Well, heartburn in itself isn’t necessarily a serious case and health complication, but it is a painful sensation that won’t go away any time soon. This can be detrimental to your focus if you want to get work done or if you’re studying since the pain (and vomiting) can be a distraction.
Heartburn is a natural response of the body, and experiencing it from time to time is normal. However, some individuals are more prone to heartburn, which can negatively influence their lives. Heartburn is also one of the earliest known symptoms for more serious health complications, so it shouldn’t be ignored.
Heartburn and Other Diseases
Being able to identify heartburn from other diseases can ensure that it is addressed and prevented. Contrary to popular belief, heartburn is a symptom and is not a disorder, and one of the most common symptoms is acid reflux.
People will usually think that heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are the same, but they are quite different. If the onset of acid reflux lasts for more than two weeks, this is now considered GERD.
There are also a variety of different diseases that have acid reflux as a common symptom. While heartburn and acid reflux is common symptoms, it can also be mistaken for more serious cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks since chest pain is a prevalent symptom. Doctors and medical practitioners will need to run extensive tests to diagnose a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases.
So what are some preventive measures when it comes to heartburn? Here’s what you can do.
Lifestyle Changes
Heartburn is known for being more common in individuals that are overweight. Losing or maintaining a healthy weight can help minimize the onset of heartburn. Eating healthy meals in smaller caloric portions while more frequently can ensure that you’re not gaining weight while still having the necessary nutritional sustenance that you’ll need.
Lying on Your Left Side
When you have heartburn, you’ll feel long bouts of nausea and a strong urge to vomit. Still, most experts would say that getting your throat and stomach to relax by sleeping is a good way of relieving the symptoms. But the problem with sleeping is that you’re more likely to throw up if you’re lying down. If you plan on lying down, it’s important not to do it after eating; waiting for two hours can minimize the likelihood of vomiting. Most experts suggest lying down on your left side since this will calm your stomach, while lying on your right side can aggravate your throat and stomach.
If you’re having heartburn, the best thing you can do is ensure that you maximize your comfort with a good bed. Fortunately, some mattress stores are known for selling mattresses and beds that focus on comfort while being good for your body figure and posture, even if you’re lying down.
Relieve Stress
Stress is known for worsening the onset of heartburn. There are a variety of ways of destressing without having to lay down. Finding hobbies and outlets such as exercising or playing a sport can keep your mind off heartburn while also helping you stay fit.
You don’t have to worry about heartburn since it’s a natural process of the body. Although it is a normal process, it can still be an early symptom of more serious ailments. It’s important to consult with a trained professional regarding the matter, if possible.
