| Heartburn is the most prevalent complaint | | | | differentiate the symptoms of heartburn and |
| heard about the digestive system. When the | | | | heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include |
| hydrochloric acid from the stomach enters the | | | | tightness, pressure or pain in the center of |
| esophagus - the food tube that connects the | | | | the chest. The pain spreads to the shoulders, |
| mouth with the stomach - it inflames and | | | | neck and arms, mostly to the left side. The |
| irritates the unprotected lining of the tube | | | | heart patients experience cold sweat, nausea |
| and causes heartburn.The most common symptoms | | | | and vomiting, weakness and dizziness. There |
| of heartburn include a burning pain starting | | | | is general shortness of breath. Except for |
| behind the breastbone and ribs and radiating | | | | pain in the chest, which is common to |
| upwards the throat. The pain usually starts | | | | heartburn and heart attack, others are |
| after a meal. One may experience a feeling of | | | | heart-attack specific.Heartburn is quite |
| liquid coming up the throat from the stomach. | | | | serious when it accompanies abdominal pain |
| A bitter or sour taste in the mouth is felt | | | | and or bleeding. It may be indicative of |
| in some cases. The pain gets worse with | | | | peptic ulcers, gall bladder disease, a tear |
| bending down or lying down. The other | | | | in the esophagus or inflammation of the |
| symptoms include burping and a feeling of | | | | stomach (gastritis). Heartburn with vomiting |
| bloating. If heartburn is due to Gastro | | | | blood indicates bleeding in the esophagus or |
| Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), sleep | | | | stomach. This causes the stools to be |
| problems, chronic cough, asthma, hoarseness, | | | | dark.Various tests are done to confirm and |
| tightness in the throat, laryngitis, | | | | determine the severity of heartburn related |
| wheezing, bad breath, sore throat, ear | | | | to GERD. They are upper GI endoscopy, upper |
| infection, sinus infection and dental erosion | | | | GI series, esophageal manometry and 24-hour |
| are the conditions that may be experienced by | | | | pH monitor. |
| the patient.It is very important to | | | | |