When to go to Urgent Care for Heartburn
Heartburn is a symptom, not an illness. It’s often described as a burning sensation in your chest or throat, but heartburn and acid reflux can occur anywhere along your digestive tract—in other words, it can happen in your mouth and even in your esophagus. Heartburn happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus because of any number of reasons including overeating and eating too fast. Heartburn is different from normal indigestion (which often happens when you’re hungry), so if you have heartburn at a time that isn’t related to eating (like after you exercise), then you may want to head over to urgent care instead of waiting it out at home.
Sometimes heartburn is just an issue of reflux, but if it continues and worsens, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor. Heartburn can be caused by conditions like acid reflux disease (GERD), ulcers or even more serious medical issues. If you experience chest pain when you have heartburn, you should consult a physician right away. However, if your symptoms only last 24 hours and are relatively mild, self-care might do the trick. It’s best to treat yourself at home before considering a trip to urgent care or making an appointment with your doctor; here are some ways that work
Heartburn is a painful burn sensation you feel in your chest after eating a meal high in fat. It’s generally not considered a medical emergency, but if it lasts more than two days or recurs after multiple hospital visits, then you should seek treatment at an urgent care center. While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn are often used interchangeably, they are distinct conditions that require different treatments. Heartburn is often treated with medication; GERD needs treatment by an esophageal specialist such as a gastroenterologist. Both of these conditions can lead to complications including esophageal bleeding, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, can be a painful experience, especially if it occurs frequently. The discomfort is caused by stomach acid flowing back up into your esophagus. Although heartburn is often not serious, you may want to seek treatment at an urgent care center if you experience chest pain and shortness of breath that worsens with eating. It could be a sign of a more serious condition like angina or myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). You should also get immediate medical attention if your symptoms are accompanied by vomiting, sweating or dizziness.
