Heartburn Acid Indigestion

Heartburn Vs. Indigestion

Stomach pains can be difficult to manage since you may not always know what is causing your symptoms. There could be stuff going on in your belly that signals a deeper problem, while it could also be a simple case of a bad piece of lettuce. Two common complaints for stomach problems include heartburn and indigestion. While they can be tied together, there are also some differences between the two.

The main variation between indigestion and heartburn is that indigestion is a condition in itself, while heartburn is a symptom, sometimes of indigestion. Heartburn is most commonly associated with acid reflux problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Although indigestion can sometimes cause heartburn, it is not always a symptom of this condition.

First, it is important to understand the various causes of indigestion. Also called dyspepsia, indigestion describes a collection of symptoms such as stomach discomfort, bloating, belching, nausea, and occasionally heartburn. It typically arises due to your eating practices, although there can be more serious sources of your stomach pain. Eating habits that can contribute to indigestion include: overeating, consuming your food too quickly, spicy food, fatty or greasy food, smoking, nervousness, and too much of irritants such as caffeine, chocolate, and alcohol.

Additionally, your mental condition can affect the feeling of your stomach. Nervousness, tension, and emotional trauma can cause indigestion.  On the other hand, there can be some medical causes of indigestion. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and antibiotics can be tough your tummy.

Also, dyspepsia can signify deeper issues like gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, gallstones, and even stomach cancer. Sometimes, you can have a bacterial infection that can irritate the lining of your stomach. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that normally lives in the mucus lining of your stomach. When it overgrows, it can contribute to ulcers and indigestion.

Contrastingly, heartburn just occurs when the acid produced by the stomach splashes back into the esophagus. While this can be caused by indigestion, it can also happen when you have problems such as a hiatal hernia and GERD, as mentioned above. Heartburn causes a burning that can be confused with a heart attack.

Because of the pain associated with chronic acid reflux and heartburn, many people turn to medications to help control their stomach acid. One such medication is Reglan. Reglan actually works to stimulate the muscular contractions of the upper digestive tract to pass food along faster.

While Reglan can be helpful in preventing heartburn, it has also been linked to neuromuscular conditions such as tardive dyskinesia. If you have developed any health issues due to the use of Reglan, contact a Reglan attorney from Williams Kherkher today.

About the Author

iHealthCast.com – Acid Indigestion and Heartburn by Dr. Meletis

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