Heartburn is caused by many factors and not a serious disease by itself. So is indigestion. The pain and burning sensation caused by the condition is felt by a person rises in the chest and branches out to the neck, throat and the jaw area. These symptoms cause heartburn episodes to be mistaken for a more serious heart attack. This is the same as the pain of indigestion that is also felt in the chest and the upper abdomen.
Indigestion is characterized by pain and a feeling of discomfort, bloating, belching, vomiting and a feeling of fullness. These two conditions are both mistaken for a myocardial infraction but in reality are two distinct ailments.
Heartburn is a condition that is also an indigestion symptom. But more often, heartburn is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease which is a gastric acid going back up the esophagus which can also cause cough and a condition that closely resembles an asthma attack. It can also be hydrochloric acid rising up to the esophagus from the stomach due to cardiac sphincter problem. The term does not have anything to do with the heart though. It is commonly caused by an unusual eating habit and by foods that trigger an acid reflux.
Like heartburn, indigestion is also caused by the food we eat and by our eating habits. Also called dyspepsia, indigestion is not usually a disease of its own but a symptom of other more serious maladies. This could include gallbladder disease and stomach ulcers. The pain associated with indigestion is felt while eating or after a meal. It is aggravated by emotional problems such as anxiety and depression.
These two conditions are so closely related that one is sometimes mistaken for the other by many people. But though they both are not serious diseases by themselves, constantly suffering its symptoms should not be taken for granted, as it could be a sign of a more serious ailment. The discomforts that they bring can also prevent a person from carrying on with his normal daily life and prompt diagnosis and treatment is often recommended by medical practitioners.
