Heartburn and Indigestion
People suffering from heartburn might say that theyre having indigestion, and vice versa with people suffering from indigestion, but heartburn and indigestion actually are two different things. The difference between heartburn and indigestion is that indigestion is a general condition, whereas heartburn can sometimes be a symptom of having indigestion. So people who have indigestion and say theyre having heartburn may actually be right, but usually people switch it around. Heartburn really doesnt affect the heart at all, but it sure sounds like it does, which is perhaps why people more commonly complain about having indigestion than heartburn.
Heartburn is not burning the heart, but the esophagus. The burning sensation can also travel up to the throat, and often a person suffering from heartburn will throw up gastric acid, a substance that helps digestion in the stomach. Heartburn is usually associated with acid reflux disease, a condition in which the mucus of the esophagus is consistently damaged because the stomach isnt blocked off from the esophagus as much as it should be. The stomach is blocked off from the esophagus with a flap called the lower esophageal sphincter. Occasionally, the flap doesnt close as it should so acid gets out of the stomach and goes up. This causes the burning sensation of heartburn, and if it continues to happen then it becomes a case of acid reflux. Heartburn and acid reflux usually happen from bad eating habits, like eating too much junk food or eating too quickly. Sometimes certain medications can trigger heartburn.
Indigestion is where a person feels bloated and painful in the abdomen, and they might experience heartburn along with the abdominal pain, as well as nausea, burping and flatulence. Indigestion, in turn, can be a symptom of acid reflux and its what people commonly refer to as an upset stomach. Like heartburn, its often due to bad eating habits, particularly eating too quickly.
Heartburn and indigestion can generally be treated by getting rest, eating smaller meals and keeping upright so that acid can stay down, but the best way to take care of heartburn and indigestion is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Stay away from unhealthy foods and substances like tobacco, and eat at a normal pace. However, heartburn and indigestion are sometimes signs of a more serious illness, like acid reflux, so in serious cases you should seek medical help.
