If you frequently feel a burning sensation in your chest that’s either mildly irritating or very painful, you should get it checked out to find out whether you’re suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or just having a straightforward attack of heartburn. Just about everyone has heartburn symptoms at one time or another. Perhaps it’s a result of a spicy meal eaten too late in the evening. Or that extra glass of red wine. Maybe the cause is a temporary state of pregnancy.
However, there are some people who never seem to get heartburn relief. These individuals don’t just have a simple case of heartburn. They have a serious ailment that can profoundly impact their day to day lives. They suffer both physically and emotionally just about every day, enduring sleep deficiency and constant distress.
One of the clues to determining if your problem is GERD or just heartburn is the frequency of the symptoms. If they’re constant, then you’re probably looking at something more serious than a touch of indigestion.
GERD sufferers frequently experience heartburn twice a week a more. And the burning feeling goes on longer than the discomfort of common heartburn. Those individuals with the severe form of the problem also find it difficult to swallow while they’re experiencing symptoms.
Most often, heartburn occurs at night, but it can actually flare up at any time during the day. But people with GERD will most often experience it at night when they’re trying to sleep. As well, GERD is more difficult to treat with regular medications. Chewing a Tums or Rolaids probably won’t give you the relief you need.
At some point, you might realize that you’ve had to make adjustments to your lifestyle because you’re concerned about preempting an attack of heartburn. If this is the case, it might indicate that your doctor’s diagnosis will be GERD and not just an occasional bout of heartburn.
If you experience heartburn regularly, track the frequency and severity of your flare ups. Pinpoint what triggered the symptoms. Bring these results with you when you visit your doctor to help in making the correct diagnosis to get heartburn relief.
GERD doesn’t have to ruin your life. There are a number of effective treatments available, from medications to acid reflux surgery. Don’t let the problem take over. Take control of your health and find the heartburn relief that works best for you.
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