Have you ever experienced a burning sensation in your chest that you thought was a heart attack? Kona Community Hospital, the leading hospital in Kealakekua, HI, says you might have actually been suffering from heartburn. This problem happens when gastric juices travel back up into the esophagus. Heartburn, also called acid reflux, causes unbearable pain and can sometimes affect your daily activities.

This West Hawaii-based hospital has been providing patients with their professional health care services for almost 100 years. Here, they share the signs of heartburn you should watch out for:

• Burning Sensation In The Chest: One of the signs of heartburn is the burning sensation in the chest area after eating. This pain usually lasts for several minutes.
• Chest Pain Worsens: Another telltale sign of heartburn is chest pain that gets worse when bending over, eating, or lying down. This is because gastric acid is refluxing back up into the esophagus. But not all chest pain means heartburn. It’s best to consult your doctor to see if your pain is a sign of something even more serious like a heart attack.
• Can’t Swallow Food: If you have heartburn, you’ll find it hard to swallow your food. Many patients claim that their food feels like it’s stuck in their chest and throat.
• Bitter Taste: You’ll feel a bitter taste in your mouth when gastric juices go back up into your throat. If this happens, call your physician. Doctors usually recommend antacids or prescribe acid reflux medication to prevent symptoms from worsening.

The medical professionals at Kona Community Hospital offer surgical procedures to treat the causes of acid reflux such as heartburn and GERD through their Heartburn and Reflux Program. They are a 94-bed full-service adult care with 24-hour emergency services. To learn more about their services and promos, visit their hospital or check out their website or Facebook page.