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Heartburn Symptoms: Is it Heartburn or Indigestion? 

man sitting on couch with food container holding chest

Not everyone experiences heartburn in the same way: symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the way you experience these unpleasant sensations can differ from person to person. Heartburn symptoms can also feel like indigestion, especially after consuming a meal, coffee, or alcohol. Learn about the differences in symptoms and what to watch out for, both during and after a meal.

What is Heartburn

Simply, heartburn is a burning sensation in the middle of your chest that you might experience after eating.

How Does Heartburn Happen?

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus.1 While your stomach can safely contain this acidic mixture that helps to break down foods, your esophagus, which connects your mouth to your stomach, cannot.2 When the valve that separates your stomach and esophagus doesn’t close properly, stomach acid can flow into the esophagus. This is called reflux and it can cause you to feel heartburn symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Heartburn?

If you are suffering from heartburn, you may feel any of the following, either by themselves or in combination:2

  • A burning feeling in the center of your chest that typically appears after eating or at night1
  • A burning sensation in your throat
  • Pain in your chest when you lay down or bend over
  • An unpleasant taste in the back of your throat that may be salty, sour, acidic, or hot

Heartburn can generally be managed at home with lifestyle changes or an over-the-counter medication, but occasionally symptoms may be so severe that it interferes with your daily life.

Severe acid reflux symptoms that may necessitate medical attention include:3

  •  Symptoms persist even though you are treating them with over-the-counter medications
  • Vomiting
  •  Weight loss due to difficulty eating

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion, also known as an upset stomach, has similar symptoms and like heartburn also tends to occur after eating, but the symptoms may be attributed to indigestion, rather than heartburn caused by reflux:

  • Feeling full early in a meal
  • Feeling uncomfortably full after a meal
  • Discomfort or burning in the upper abdomen
  • A bloating sensation in your abdomen
  • Nausea

Is it Heartburn or Indigestion?

While people who suffer from indigestion may also experience heartburn, heartburn is generally felt behind the sternum, or breastbone, (as you can see in the photo at the top of the page), because that’s about where the valve between the stomach and esophagus is situated. Indigestion is generally felt lower in the torso.

If you experience pain in your chest and you cannot identify the cause or find relief, contact your doctor. Chest pain can be attributed to serious causes, any sort of prolonged pain warrants medical attention.

While the symptoms of heartburn are unpleasant, getting rid of heartburn is easy with readily-available medications such as Nexium 24HR. Because it stops acid at the source, just one pill a day gives you 24 hours of protection against heartburn.

Source Citations:

  1. Heartburn. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223. Accessed on 3/3/2021.
  2. Heartburn overview. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9617-heartburn-overview. Accessed on 3/3/2021.
  3. Indigestion. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/symptoms-causes/syc-20352211. Accessed on 3/3/2021.