Women are more prone to heartburn than men. At times, a heart attack can mimic or be mistaken for heartburn. So it is very essential to understand the heartburn symptoms in women and get proper treatment. Heartburn is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One of the most common symptoms due to this condition is the burning sensation in the chest area and the throat. It is due to the action of the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid is very useful in digestion. But due to some reason it is pushed back from the stomach and reaches the food pipe or esophagus and causes the irritation.
Common Heartburn Symptoms
According to certain studies, women suffer from this condition more than men because the hormone levels undergo frequent changes. Pregnant women and those suffering from hiatal hernia are also prone to this condition. The most common symptom is a sharp burning sensation from the base of the throat to the end of the breast bone. The feeling can be present for a few minutes to some hours too. The feeling is aggravated when you bend down or try to lie on your stomach. It causes a lot of trouble while eating and sleeping also. If the burning sensation is severe you could experience chest pain as well.
Sometimes, you can also feel a sour taste in your mouth due to the reflux action of the acid. When the heartburn symptoms in women become severe you start feeling nausea. Some women even have sore throat that gives rise to cough. Pain while swallowing food is also experienced by many women. Another common symptom of heartburn is feeling full and not feeling hungry. Some feel that the food has been stuck in the throat etc.
GERD is very common during pregnancy. This is because the growing uterus puts a lot of pressure on the stomach. The hormone progesterone is also responsible for this condition because it is responsible for easing the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. Due to this more gastric juices are pushed up to the esophagus resulting in acid reflux. This condition can also be formed as a result of empty stomach especially, during pregnancy.
Treatments for GERD
Acid reflux usually occurs at night after eating your meals. It can bother you for some time until late night. If you want to avoid it during the night, do not lie down immediately after having your food. There are various kinds of treatments for heartburn symptoms in women. Water is very useful. Drink a lot of water and get relief from the symptoms. Chewing gum is also very beneficial because it helps to produce saliva which helps to neutralize the acid. The best medicine for heartburn is antacid. Though some medications containing antacid can induce diarrhea and constipation, take the advice of your doctor before using it. Pregnant women should choose natural cures for getting relief. Though heartburn could be caused by minor indigestion, it has to be treated on time or else it can lead to other complications in the esophagus.