How Long Can Heartburn Last? - Donat

If you are reading this article, most probably you have already experienced the burning sensation in your chest that is also called heartburn. However, if you still haven’t had it and you are reading this text out of pure curiosity, consider yourself lucky because you are one of the rare ones (but keep reading, just in case!?).

Heartburn is an extremely uncomfortable problem, but luckily it normally isn’t dangerous because the burning sensation quickly disappears. However, if in your case the burning sensation persists, you are probably asking yourself how long can that state actually last.

It would be good to know more about heartburn for the next time you experience it. That’s why we have gathered key information in this article about how long we can suffer from it and when it would be a good idea to do something about it.

Back to Basics: What is Heartburn?

Don’t be mad if you already know the definition. We just want to educate you and really make sure everyone understands what’s going on in their bodies. So give us a few seconds for the basics before we move to the main part ?.

Despite its name, heartburn has no connection with your heart, even though it can come with symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. It describes the reaction that happens when the muscles around the bottom of your oesophagus (the tube connecting your stomach and throat) weaken or become too relaxed. If your muscles are not strong enough, acid can escape from the stomach into your food pipe and travel all the way up to your throat and mouth.

This process causes that unpleasant heartburn feeling, which can be treated in various ways. However, if you’re not used to experiencing it or feel like the symptoms don’t seem to be improving, the whole situation can become more worrying.

So, How Long Does Heartburn Last?

Sadly, it’s difficult to say how long your heartburn is going to last, as this depends on each individual. For some it goes away after a few minutes, and with others it can stick around for hours or even days.

If you’re experiencing the milder form of this condition that usually occurs after eating certain foods, then your heartburn symptoms can last until your body has digested the meal. The symptoms can also return when you lie down or bend over, as this puts extra pressure on the sphincter muscle.

If you’re not among the “lucky ones” who only get heartburn during the day, you might be wondering how long heartburn can last at night. This form is known to be the most painful, and can even keep you up the whole night, and it’s also the most dangerous, since the stomach acid can stay in your oesophagus for longer, causing more damage to it. Night-time heartburn can also point to a more serious underlying medical condition, one that should be checked by a doctor.