What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is the sensation of burning or discomfort in your abdomen or chest, usually after eating or at night or while lying down. Sometimes it is accompanied by backwash, an acidic taste in your throat or mouth, nausea, or a sore throat. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between heart attack symptoms and heartburn. If you experience chest pain accompanied by any of the following, or if you have any reason to believe you may be experiencing a heart attack rather than simple heartburn, be sure to call 911 and get evaluated:
- Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweat
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is caused by stomach acid flowing back from your stomach into your esophagus (the tube that brings food from your mouth to your stomach). The musclular valve that is supposed to prevent that flow can be weakened over time and cause chronic heartburn, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
What is GERD?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is the medical term for acid reflux when it becomes chronic, usually meaning when you've had it at least twice a week for several weeks. Occasional heartburn is not a cause for concern, though it can be uncomfortable. GERD, however, can do damage to your body over time and cause or exacerbate health issues. GERD might mean that there is something wrong with your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the muscle mentioned above that is supposed to prevent the flow of acid from your stomach to your throat. It opens to allow you to swallow, or when you burp or have hiccups, but it should not be opening or relaxing so often that you experience frequent heartburn.
Some common causes and risk factors of acid reflux or GERD include:
- Pregnancy (usually temporary)
- Hiatal hernia
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Chronic alcohol use
How is GERD diagnosed?
You may not need any special tests to diagnose GERD, depending on the history of your symptoms and the results of a physical exam. However, your doctor or healthcare provider might recommend an upper endoscopy to confirm damage to the esophagus or other complications, an x-ray, or one of a small number of tests to identify difficulty swallowing or the presence of acid in your esophagus.
How is GERD treated?
Most people can manage the symptoms of GERD with over-the-counter medications uch as antacids and/or lifestyle changes like eating earlier in the day so they are not going to bed until a few hours after their meal, reducing alcohol or tobacco use, or losing weight. Antacids are not a good long-term solution, however, so it can be important to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about a prescription if you are finding it difficult to resolve your symptoms with lifestyle changes alone.
Sometimes, lifestyle changes and medication aren't enough, or aren't sustainable long-term. In that case, you may need to see a specialist (a gastroenterologist, usually, or in some cases a general surgeon) about having surgical intervention to help your LES and reduce your symptoms of GERD.
Community Resources
If you want to be evaluated for heartburn or GERD, we recommend starting with your primary care provider. They can conduct an initial examination and order tests if needed for evaluation, and get you connected with a specialist if you need one. Depending on your insurance plan or the availability of specialists in your area, you may be required to have a referral from a primary care doctor before you can be seen by a specialist anyway. You can get over-the-counter medications such as antacids at your local grocery or convenience store, but remember to ask your doctor first if you are on other medications or if you have existing medical conditions that might cause complications.
Call us today at 907-455-4567 to schedule an appointment!
