How Long Does Heartburn Last
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. Each episode may last for only a few minutes, but for others, it can cause major problems which can last for months or sometimes, years. 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 you have GERD, your symptoms may last longer because the lower esophageal sphincter isn’t functioning properly, which allows stomach acids to creep up into your esophagus.Heartburn episodes can last longer also, if you are pregnant or obese as there is added pressure on the stomach.
If your heartburn is a matter of eating spicy foods, it’s not likely to last as long as heartburn caused by other underlying 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.
Whilst some of you may experience heartburn occasionally, there will be many others who have frequent attacks. These will continue until the cause is identified and treated these will continue. Some people are extra sensitive to certain types of foods and can eliminate heartburn simply by identifying their triggers and eliminating them from the diet.
Certain foods are more likely to contribute to heartburn. Chocolate, spicy or hot foods and saucy foods are common culprits. You can begin eliminating foods one by one if you have kept a record of what you have eaten prior to each heartburn attack. A heartburn attack can be triggered by certain drinks, foods and medications; so it’s important for you to keep tabs on everything you eat prior to a heartburn attack.
You should seek medical advice if your heartburn lasts longer than several days or does not respond to antacids. It has been known, in some instances to mistake a heart attack for 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.
Many patients wonder, “How long does heartburn last?Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered easily. Each individual will respond differently to heartburn and to different remedies, so there is a variable time frame that an individual heartburn episode can last. Fortunately, there is natural help on the market today to help to decrease the severity of the number of heartburn episodes you experience.
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