| People that experience a heartburn attack feel | | | | heartburn. |
| the burning pain behind their breast bone, although | | | | When your heartburn persists even after you |
| some feel the pain in their middle back. Contrary | | | | have taken the medication that normally works, |
| to the name, a heartburn attack has to do with | | | | you may be experiencing severe heartburn. If the |
| the digestive system rather than the heart. | | | | problem lasts longer than usual and the pain is |
| Severe Heartburn Requires a Doctor Visit | | | | worse, you should call your doctor. Difficulty in |
| Ordinary heartburn is a normal part of modern life. | | | | swallowing, pain when swallowing, or the feeling of |
| Quick meals, spicy food and lots of caffeine | | | | having something stuck in your throat is a sign |
| translate into occasional bouts of a burning | | | | that you should contact your doctor. Don't ignore |
| sensation in the chest. Usually, an antacid tablet or | | | | pain that keeps you awake or wakes you during |
| just a little time takes care of the problem and | | | | the night, nor should you ignore pain in the neck, |
| life goes on. You know deep down that this is a | | | | chest or back. |
| medical problem, but it's so common and usually | | | | Ordinary heartburn will not cause vomiting and |
| not more than an annoyance. | | | | signs of blood should never be ignored. Other |
| Nevertheless, the symptoms of heartburn can | | | | signs of severe heartburn include persistent |
| mimic the symptoms of more serious disorders | | | | hoarseness, throat pain and coughing or wheezing. |
| and severe heartburn can lead to chronic | | | | Excessive saliva or serious weight loss are |
| problems. How do you know when it reaches the | | | | indications that you should call the doctor. Above |
| level of severe heartburn and you need to see a | | | | all, ordinary heartburn should not interfere with |
| doctor? | | | | your regular routines. |
| Common Sense | | | | Accepting severe heartburn as part of your life is |
| Some of the ways to know when to go to the | | | | not necessary. If over the counter medicine or |
| doctor are just common sense. The symptoms | | | | home remedies don't take care of the problem, |
| of even mild heartburn are difficult to overlook as | | | | you may be experiencing something other than |
| you know your own body. When the symptoms | | | | heartburn. Acid indigestion, for instance, is not the |
| change, become more frequent or more painful | | | | same as heartburn in spite of similar symptoms. It |
| you know it. Often, people feel a little silly to | | | | is much more serious and can lead to much more |
| bother a doctor with a condition that could be a | | | | chronic conditions. If you feel that you are |
| common, minor problem. No one likes to look like | | | | experiencing severe heartburn on a regular basis, |
| a complainer. However, it is always safer to err | | | | assume that you are right and contact your |
| on the side of caution with a matter like severe | | | | physician. |