Can someone please explain what heartburn and indigestion are/feel like

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Just that really, never experienced it as a teenager (well I don't think)
Thought I had heartburn when I was pregnant, getting it again for the last few days but my friend says it sounds like I have reflux and not heartburn so a bit confused now
ATM and during preg I am/was getting the feeling where feels like there's bike in my lower throat

Bile not a bike, I would be worried if it felt like a bike in my throat haha

I have GERD, i don't really define the two things as separate but this could be my mistake. For me my reflux (weak stomach valve) causes heartburn as the acid/food that is coming back up burns the esophagus and causes the pain. I understood that this is what causes the pain of heartburn, but not everyone brings the acid all the way to the mouth.

Its worth getting the dr to check it out if it carries on. (and find out all of my spiel above is bollocks,,,)

Is heartburn not the same as reflux?

It's never bothered me too much, expected it in pregnancy but the past few days it feels constantly there
I always thought it was heartburn but my friend seems to think heartburn is more of a 'burning sensation' Whereas mine doesn't 'burn' just feels like bile is coming up - although I've very rarely had bile come up into my mouth
Thanks for the advice I think I will probably ask my dr next time in there

It does sound like acid reflux rather than heartburn. Heartburn is how is described really, a burning pain. I usually get it across the top of my stomach and up towards my chest. Indigestion feels different and is more of a griping, clenching pain which is why it's confused with a heart attack sometimes I suppose.

You could try taking a daily antacid to keep the levels of acid down, drink peppermint tea and avoid the usual spicy and rich foods. It's definitely worth seeing your dr though, if left untreated the acid just eats away at your stomach lining.

Hope you get it sorted.

Thanks for the advice

Hi,

Indigestion is trapped wind. Reflux is acid coming up through the stomach valves and into the esophagus - sometimes to the stage of regurgitation, if it doesn't burn then the acid level is surely fairly low and it may not be an acid problem but a valve/stomach problem ie the stomach empties slower and the valve is it under pressure and small amounts of the stomach content come back up. There are medications to improve the speed of passage such as Domperidone, these alleviate the symptom of reflux not the cause. A daily antacid will help with burning and damage to the esophagus tissue which can lead to stricture and barretts disease if severe and left untreated - this is extreme but worth bearing in mind.

Peppermint tea/chocolate/onions garlic/milk /caffeine / alcohol are known triggers it may be worth avoiding, eat smaller meals more often and avoid fizzy drinks.

Chocolate totally gets me, really really badly to the stage we nearly called an ambulance once as I was in so much pain, same with milk.

There is a lot of good advice on healing wells GERD forum if you don't see an improvement.

I hope you feel better!