When you experience digestive symptoms, you might wonder: do I have heartburn or indigestion? Often, people use these terms interchangeably. But there is actually a difference between these two conditions. Both heartburn and indigestion can happen at the same time, but they are considered separate GI issues.
If you have acid reflux symptoms, an upset stomach, or a burning sensation, how do you know if it’s heartburn or indigestion? Here are a few things you need to know – symptoms, causes, and how to manage and prevent digestive issues.
Comparing the Difference: Heartburn vs. Indigestion
The main symptom that occurs for both heartburn and indigestion is that your symptoms intensify when bending over or lying down. But the rest of the symptoms are different, depending on the condition that you are experiencing.
Heartburn Symptoms
If you have heartburn, then you might experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Sensation of burning in the chest
- Chest pain
- Pain when swallowing
- Stomach acid regurgitation
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Symptoms intensify when bending over or lying down
Indigestion Symptoms
If you have indigestion, then you might experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Burning sensation in upper abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive gas
- Feeling full early during meals
- Excessive belching
- Bloating
- Symptoms intensify when bending over or lying down
Getting to the Root Cause of Your Symptoms
The most important thing you can do is consult a doctor to determine the root cause of your digestive symptoms. The doctor can help you understand if you are experiencing heartburn, indigestion, or both. Then, you can choose a treatment plan that will help you feel better right now and minimize issues in the future.
Many people find that adjusting their diet is the most effective way to manage their symptoms. For example, avoiding fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, tomatoes, spices, onions, garlic, and citrus can help reduce heartburn symptoms.
Many of these foods are also triggers for indigestion. So, regardless of whether you have heartburn or indigestion, the same dietary changes can help with both conditions.
Additionally, indigestion might be affected byeating large meals oreating too fast. So, reduce your portion sizes and slow down eating to see how it affects your symptoms.
Also, don’t underestimate how much stress and mental health affect digestive issues. People who suffer from depression or anxiety often have associated stomach problems. Reducing stress and addressing mental health concerns can effectively minimize heartburn and indigestion.
Hana Tonic for Digestive Health
Do you have a go-to remedy when the symptoms are flaring? Hana Tonic is a great option to have on hand because it helps to reduce associated symptoms with heartburn and indigestion. Ginger is a popular home remedy toimprove digestion and soothe the stomach, and other ingredients in this powerful blend can also help.
This supplement is carefully formulated to not only support digestion health but also improve immune function at the same time. It’s a simple yet effective solution to help you feel great!