Heartburn and indigestion are widespread gastrointestinal (GI) issues which are typically mentioned interchangeably. Whereas they could sometimes happen on the identical time, these are thought-about separate GI points.
So, if you happen to’re experiencing an upset abdomen, acid regurgitation, or a burning chest, how are you aware whether or not you’re coping with indigestion or heartburn?
Learn on to be taught the indicators and causes of those GI points, and how one can handle and stop them.
You might be able to inform the distinction between heartburn and indigestion based mostly on the situation of your signs.
Whereas indigestion primarily impacts the belly space, heartburn signs may be felt within the chest and esophageal areas. Take into account that it’s additionally attainable to expertise each indigestion and heartburn on the identical time.
Right here’s a breakdown of signs generally related to each heartburn and indigestion:
As they’re totally different situations, heartburn and indigestion can have very totally different causes. However there may be some overlap.
Heartburn
Heartburn happens when abdomen acid backs up into your esophagus on account of a weak or relaxed decrease esophageal sphincter. It could even be a symptom of a persistent situation referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Over time, GERD might harm the esophagus, resulting in issues akin to esophageal most cancers or Barrett’s esophagus.
Danger components for heartburn embrace:
- being obese or overweight
- being pregnant
- smoking or secondhand smoke publicity
In some instances, certain foods can trigger heartburn. These embrace:
- fatty meals
- alcohol
- espresso
- chocolate
- fried meals
- spices
- tomatoes
- onions
- garlic
- peppermint
- citrus fruits/juices
Indigestion (dyspepsia)
Among the identical meals triggers for heartburn might deliver on a case of indigestion, together with caffeine, spicy or acidic meals, and alcohol. Indigestion may be brought on by consuming giant meals or consuming too quick.
Indigestion is also brought on by underlying GI problems, together with:
Nervousness and melancholy may upset the abdomen regularly in some individuals, resulting in indigestion points.
Each heartburn and indigestion could also be handled with over-the-counter (OTC) merchandise, akin to:
- Antacids for gentle, occasional heartburn signs. Antacids work by neutralizing abdomen acid. They might be taken as quickly as you expertise signs, or earlier than consuming set off meals to forestall them. Antacids aren’t meant to be taken each day, until in any other case instructed by your physician. Each day use may cause GI upset.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for long-term remedy. PPIs work by lowering the quantity of acid in your abdomen, permitting your esophagus to heal.
- Histamine-H2-receptor antagonists (H2 blockers). These are additionally designed to lower abdomen acid, however they aren’t as robust as PPIs.
Ask your physician earlier than taking any natural cures for GI points, as it’s possible you’ll unintentionally make your heartburn or indigestion worse.
Occasional heartburn or indigestion is essentially preventable. Prevention strategies are the identical for each situations.
Listed here are a number of the methods you’ll be able to assist lower a flare-up of heartburn and indigestion signs:
- Eat smaller, extra frequent meals. Chew your meals slowly to assist help digestion.
- Keep away from your particular meals triggers. In case you’re unsure what meals set off your signs, contemplate eliminating widespread culprits out of your food regimen and slowly including them again in. Examples embrace espresso, spices, onions, and acidic fruits.
- Remove fried, fatty meals out of your food regimen. These meals are widespread triggers for heartburn and indigestion.
- Don’t eat inside just a few hours earlier than bedtime. Additionally, keep away from laying down or bending over after meals.
- Keep away from consuming alcohol and smoking. This can assist the decrease esophageal sphincter to correctly perform.
- Take into account elevating the pinnacle of your mattress. Consultants advocate elevating the higher a part of your mattress by 6 to 8 inches. This can be achieved by way of an adjustable mattress, or by including a wedge beneath a standard mattress.
- Drop some weight, in case your physician recommends it. Extra physique fats can place extra stress in your higher stomach and esophageal sphincter, triggering each indigestion and heartburn, respectively.
- Keep away from tight-fitting garments. This will forestall stress across the decrease esophageal sphincter and the stomach.
These preventive measures may assist alleviate signs of persistent heartburn or indigestion, however you’ll must see your physician to assist deal with the underlying causes to assist forestall additional issues.
In case your signs of heartburn and/or indigestion don’t enhance after just a few weeks of residence cures and preventive measures, see your physician.
Continual heartburn or indigestion points may very well be an indication of an underlying medical situation that wants remedy. To get to the foundation of persistent indigestion or heartburn points, your physician might order just a few assessments, together with:
- a bodily examination of your stomach
- acid probe assessments to measure when (and the way a lot) abdomen acid reaches again into your esophagus
- imaging assessments, akin to X-rays and endoscopies (particularly if you happen to’re over the
age of 60 ), to take a look at your esophagus and abdomen - blood or stool assessments to rule out bacterial infections that could be inflicting indigestion
Name your physician if you happen to expertise any of the next signs that would point out GI issues:
- ache in your stomach that doesn’t go away
- frequent vomiting
- blood in vomit or stools
- tar-colored stools
- issue swallowing
- yellowing of the pores and skin or eyes (jaundice)
- urge for food loss
- unintentional weight reduction
Search emergency medical consideration if heartburn or indigestion are accompanied by the next potential symptoms of a heart attack:
- ache or squeezing sensations in your chest that unfold to your arms, again, neck, and jaw
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- sudden fatigue
- chilly sweats
- shortness of breath
- nausea or vomiting
Each heartburn and indigestion have comparable causes, and could also be alleviated with comparable life-style adjustments and OTC remedies.
It’s necessary, nonetheless, that you just decide whether or not your signs are heartburn- or indigestion-related, so you’ll be able to focus on them along with your physician.
In case you discover that you just want antacids each day, or in case your heartburn or indigestion signs last more than just a few weeks, it’s possible you’ll must see your physician for additional testing.
Treating an underlying GI challenge can assist alleviate your signs whereas additionally stopping additional issues.