Health Diet - Heartburn and Indigestion - Cause and Effect

As a layman (non medical person) these two conditions often get taken as the same problem, this is not true, they are two separate problems with unique symptoms, treatments and cures.

Understanding the difference between heartburn and indigestion

Heartburn is a symptom [not a disease or condition] and can be caused by the following:

* eating chocolate, fatty or spicy foods, peppermints and acidic fruit/food
* eating to big a meal
* taking certain medications [certain meds have this as a side effect]
* gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD
* hiatus hernia

Common symptoms of heartburn are as follows:

* sour taste - in the mouth which seems to creep up through the throat
* feeling of burning - near the breastbone in the center of the chest
* pain - located in your throat and/or neck

Indigestion [dyspepsia], is often the sign of other medical conditions and can be caused by:

* fatty or greasy foods
* foods high in spice
* eating too large a portion of food
* eating to fast
* drinking excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol
* smoking
* stress
* anxiety
* side effect of some medication
* medical conditions such as gall stones, ulcers etc.

Common symptoms of indigestion are as follows:

* a bloated feeling
* heartburn
* a feeling of nausea
* burping or belching frequently
* pain in the stomach
* belly discomfort
* uncomfortably full feeling during or after a normal size meal

The most common symptoms of indigestion include:

* General discomfort in the belly
* Feeling uncomfortably full during or after eating
* Stomach pain
* Frequent belching
* Feeling nauseated
* Having heartburn
* Feeling bloated

So as you have seen above, these two conditions [even though you can get them at the same time] are definitely not the same problem, and due to this uniqueness, you have to treat and prevent them in very similar yet different ways.

Confused?

Yes it is real easy to get confused about the difference between these two problems. Both these conditions often occur after eating [alone or together] and even though they seem similar they differ quite widely in that indigestion has a collection of different symptoms [which includes heartburn], whereas heartburn is heartburn's main symptom. A point to remember is that indigestion actually has nothing to do with stomach acid, it is connected to your emotional health and state of mind.

Tips for treating both heartburn and indigestion:

* limit your alcohol intake - treats both conditions
* watch what you are eating, avoid fatty and spicy foods - treats both conditions
* Eat slowly with smaller portions- treats both conditions
* relax and try be stress free when eating - treats indigestion
* avoid talking or chewing with your mouth open [reduces the amount of air you swallow] - treats indigestion

Using antacids to treat heartburn is quite acceptable, in certain conditions it might even relieve indigestion [this is not always the case though]. should the symptoms continue after taking of the antacid for a few days and having tried to remedy it with a change of diet and lifestyle, please go see your doctor as there might be a underlying condition that can only be solved by the correct medication and/or treatment.