Confused about whether or not you’re experiencing heartburn? Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation that occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter in your body relaxes or weakens, either due to acid reflux, or other causes, and allows stomach acid to enter your esophagus. The first signs of heartburn may start with a sour stomach feeling or acid indigestion, which can occur during or after eating. Once that feeling starts, acid reflux and heartburn may follow, with symptoms that can range from a mild discomfort to a sharp burning sensation. Regardless of the causes, learning more about what heartburn feels like and how to identify the symptoms quickly can help lead to faster relief.
Symptoms Of Heartburn Can Include:
Burning Pain in the Chest
One of the most common symptoms of heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest, usually after eating. This is due to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxing or weakening, especially during bouts of acid reflux, which allows acid to escape from the stomach and rise into the esophagus.
Pain That Worsens When Lying Down or Bent Over
When lying down or bent over, your stomach and throat are close to the same level horizontally. This can allow stomach acid to more easily flow into your esophagus, causing heartburn.
Burning Feeling in the Throat
In addition to causing irritation of the esophagus, acid reflux can sometimes cause stomach acid to come all the way up into the back of the throat. It can then cause damage to the throat area leading to a burning sensation or hoarseness.
Sour or Acidic Taste in the Mouth or Throat
If the contents of the stomach are able to travel up to the throat, which is sometimes referred to as regurgitation, your acid reflux may cause you to feel a sour or acidic taste in the back of the mouth or throat.
Heartburn vs GERD
If you are experiencing chronic acid reflux or heartburn symptoms that occur two or more times a week, you may be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This repeated or prolonged exposure to acidic content from the stomach may lead to damage of the esophageal lining.
Common Symptoms of GERD Can include:
Heartburn
Regurgitation
Nausea
Difficulty swallowing
Chronic cough or hoarseness
Less Common Symptoms of GERD Can include:
Bad breath
Tooth enamel damage due to excess acid
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of GERD, talk to your doctor as it can lead to serious complications if left untreated. PEPCID® works fast to relieve heartburn and provides lasting relief but is not indicated for the treatment of GERD.
Try PEPCID® for the Relief of Unexpected Heartburn
PEPCID® is a Histamine-2 blocker (H2 blocker) with the active ingredient famotidine, which helps relieve heartburn by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. PEPCID AC® works fast by starting to relieve heartburn in 15–30 minutes, and controls acid all day or all night.* PEPCID AC® can also help prevent heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach before you even begin to experience symptoms.**
*Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. acid control does not imply symptom relief.
**Prevents heartburn if taken 15 to 60 minutes before a meal.
©J&JCI 2021
