Left Untreated, It Can Lead To Serious Complications.

If you've ever had a burning sensation in the middle of your 

chest that works its way up toward your throat, then you're 

all too familiar with heartburn. Also called acid indigestion, 

heartburn is extremely common. 

Estimates are that 60 million Americans suffer from

 heartburn at least once a month. For many people it's an 

occasional nuisance. For others, it's a daily misery that makes 

eating and sleeping difficult. 

Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.

Everybody experiences heartburn differently. Besides

 that painful burning sensation, it might feel like food is

coming back into your mouth, or you might have a bitter

taste in the back of your throat. 

Often, the discomfort gets worse when you bend over or lie

 down, Elevate your head with a folded old blanket under

 your mattress raising the head. 

Heartburn strikes when stomach acid flows up 

into your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to 

your stomach. At the top of your stomach, there's something 

called the lower esophageal sphincter that is supposed to let food

 into your stomach and keep what's in your 

stomach from flowing back up into your esophagus. 

When it doesn't work acid spills up into your esophagus. 

Many things can trigger heartburn, including:

Fatty and fried foods - Chocolate - Citrus - Tomatoes

 - Caffeine - Alcohol- Tobacco - Large meals - Tight clothes

 - Eating two to three hours before going to bed.

Some suffers swear by Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 teaspoons 

in a 8 oz. glass of water. A liitle lime juice and honey for taste.

 Instant relief.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between 

pain caused by heartburn and a heart attack. Chest pain that 

radiates out to your neck, jaw, or arms, shortness of

 breath, an irregular pulse, and sweating are all signs that 

you should seek emergencymedical treatment.Check with 

your doctor if your heartburn becomes more severe or frequent,

you have trouble swallowing, or you experienc nausea or vomiting.

 Drastic weight loss, severe hoarseness, extreme

 stomach pain, and black or bloody bowel movements are also reasons 

to see your doctor. For most people, heartburn is

 an occasional uncomfortable nuisance. But, if you suffer from

 chronic heartburn, you shouldn't just ignore it. Left untreated, 

it can cause serious permanent damage to your esophagus. 

Fortunately, the odds are good that changes in diet and lifestyle 

combined with the right medication will help you get it under control.