Heartburn and GERD
Nearly all of us have experienced heartburn on an occasional basis, but if you are feeling the burn more than twice a week, you could have gastroesophageal reflux disease, one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases.
Acid reflux is the underlying problem — muscles in the stomach, esophagus and diaphragm relax, allowing acid to flow back up the esophagus from the stomach, and heartburn is the symptom felt as a result of reflux.
The tell-tale burning sensation occurs because, unlike the stomach, the esophagus is not protected by a mucous lining, and long-term exposure to stomach acid can cause tissue damage. GERD can be generally characterized as having frequent reflux (two or more times per week) and can lead to issues like esophageal inflammation, narrowing of the esophagus from scar tissue or even esophageal cancer.
Anyone can develop GERD, but those who are overweight, pregnant, smoke or take medications such as antihistamines, painkillers or antidepressants may be more at-risk.
The American College of Gastroenterology offers the following questions to help determine severity of your heartburn and reflux.
- Do you frequently have an uncomfortable feeling behind the breast bone, a burning sensation in the back of your throat, or a bitter acid taste in your mouth?
- Do you often experience these problems after meals?
- Do you experience heartburn or indigestion more than twice a week?
- Do you find that antacids only provide temporary relief?
- Are you taking prescription medicine to treat heartburn, but still having symptoms?
If the answer to two or more of these is “yes,” ACOG recommends seeing a provider.