How Long Does Heartburn Last
By David Sprake
Sep 9, 2009
If youre experiencing heartburn, particularly if youve never had it before, you may be wondering, how long does heartburn last?
Unfortunately, there is no given time frame for heartburn. For some, it may last only a few minutes and for others, it can be a chronic problem that lasts for months or even years. Each episode can last from several minutes to several days, in severe cases. Heartburn that occurs frequently over several months may indicate that you have a more serious condition, known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
How long heartburn lasts depends on a number of factors. The underlying cause of your heartburn is a primary indicator of how long your symptoms may last. If you have GERD, your symptoms
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Chocolate, spicy or hot foods and saucy foods are common culprits. Start by keeping track of the foods youve eaten recently prior to each attack and begin eliminating them one by one. Alcohol and caffeine can also contribute to heartburn, as well as certain medications, so keep tabs on everything you ingest prior to heartburn attacks.
Heartburn that lasts longer than several days or does not respond to antacids should be evaluated by a medical professional. In some cases, more serious conditions, including heart attack, can be disregarded as heartburn. If youre at risk of heart conditions, learn to differentiate heartburn and angina symptoms so you can seek proper medical attention if you experience angina.
Many patients wonder, How long does heartburn last? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Each individual will respond differently to heartburn and to different remedies, so there is a variable time frame that an individual heartburn episode can last. Fortunately, there are natural remedies and solutions that can help reduce the number of heartburn episodes you experience and the severity of those that