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Digestive Health6 Minute Read

When to Talk to your Doctor About Heartburn

heartburn when to talk to your doctor
Reviewed By: Dr. Mark Shachner
Published: Monday Oct. 2, 2023
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People who have heartburn often don't understand what it is. Heartburn is a painful burning feeling in the chest that usually happens after eating. If stomach acid gets into the esophagus, the tube that moves food from your mouth to your stomach, you will have this problem. Having heartburn once in a while is not a big deal, but heartburn that happens a lot can be a sign of a more dangerous condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Figuring out when your symptoms might be enough to talk to your doctor about can help you get the right care and avoid problems.

Cause for Concern

If you have heartburn symptoms more than twice a week or if over-the-counter medicines don't help, you should see a doctor. Heartburn that doesn't go away can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a long-term condition that can lead to major problems like cancer or damage to the esophagus if it isn't treated.

The main difference between GERD and having occasional heartburn is how often and how badly the symptoms happen. If your lower esophageal sphincter doesn't close properly, stomach acid can leak back into your esophagus. This is called reflux. Heartburn is a sign of acid reflux, which feels like burning in your chest. GERD is a disease. Heartburn is one of the signs of GERD. Other signs include coughing, breathing, chest pain, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, clearing the throat often, and regurgitation.

You should speak with your physician if you believe you have GERD or another ongoing illness. Try to find any triggers that might be creating or worsening your symptoms in the meantime, and take steps to reduce their effects. This can involve eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and staying away from foods and drinks that are known to cause heartburn.

Over-the-counter Medications

Sometimes moderate and infrequent heartburn can be temporarily relieved with over-the-counter medications. Tums and Maalox are examples of antacids that work by balancing stomach acid and are a quick fix for mild heartburn symptoms. H-2 blockers, such as Zantac 75 or Pepcid AC, reduce the buildup of stomach acid and can be used either after symptoms start to appear or before meals to prevent heartburn. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec OTC, are designed for those who have frequent heartburn, which can be described as occurring two or more days per week. PPIs function by lowering the amount of acid your stomach generates.

It is crucial to keep in mind, though, that these drugs are not meant to be used for an extended period of time. For example, PPIs should not be taken consistently for longer than two weeks because of possible long-term negative effects. Long-term PPI use has been associated in studies with vitamin deficiencies, heart attacks, renal failure, dementia, and Clostridium difficile (or C. diff) infections. Therefore, it is important that you seek expert medical guidance if you become dependent on these remedies or if your symptoms do not improve even after using them. For diseases like GERD, a medical professional can offer an accurate diagnosis and practical long-term management techniques.

Visit your Local Heartburn Center

See your local heartburn center if your symptoms are severe, chronic, or you are dependent on over-the-counter drugs for relief. A team of medical experts at these specialty clinics is skilled in identifying and treating disorders like GERD. Additionally, if you have trouble swallowing, are constantly sick or throw up, lose weight because of bad eating habits or lack of appetite, or have had heartburn for more than five years, you might think about making an appointment. These might indicate a more serious issue, in which case getting help from a specialist right away could be essential to your wellbeing. It is crucial to keep in mind that untreated GERD over an extended period of time can cause major side effects, such as precancerous conditions in the esophagus. With all the knowledge and tools needed to help you manage these symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan, your neighborhood heartburn clinic is here to help.

It might be difficult to determine when a visit to a gastroenterologist is necessary. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it suggests that you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist:

  • Experiencing symptoms that persist for more than two weeks, such as heartburn that lingers even after using over-the-counter medications. Pay attention if the frequency or intensity of your heartburn episodes start to change.
  • Losing sleep due to nighttime symptoms
  • Acid reflux interfering with your daily activities or significantly impacting your quality of life
  • Unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite paired with heartburn
  • Pain or difficulty swallowing
  • Experiencing heartburn accompanied by nausea or vomiting
  • Chronic hoarseness or wheezing

Keep in mind that these symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have a major illness. However, they can help you figure out when it might be best to see a gastroenterologist. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so get medical help right away.

Ask your Doctor

Before you see a doctor again, you should make sure you have the right questions ready. You can learn more about your situation and work with your doctor to come up with a good treatment plan if you ask the right questions. When you talk to your doctor about heartburn, here are some important things to ask:

  • What could be causing my heartburn symptoms?
  • Are my symptoms a sign of GERD or something else more serious?
  • What lifestyle changes can I make to help manage my symptoms?
  • How can I change the way I eat to help my heartburn?
  • What over-the-counter medications, if any, do you recommend for my symptoms?
  • How long should I take these medications, and what are the potential side effects?
  • At what point should I consider prescription medications?
  • At what point should I consider surgery?
  • Could my heartburn be related to another underlying health issue?
  • What tests might be necessary to diagnose my condition accurately?
  • What are the potential long-term complications if my heartburn goes untreated?

Treatment Options

For some people, GERD can be hard to deal with. Once you know you have GERD, learning about your treatment choices is a big step toward getting better and feeling better. What your doctor may suggest depends on how bad your symptoms are and other factors that are unique to you. Let us look more closely at some popular ways to treat GERD:

Changes to your lifestyle: Some changes to your lifestyle can have a big effect on how well you manage GERD. It might help to stay at a healthy weight, avoid foods that make you feel bad (like spicy or acidic foods), eat smaller meals, and avoid sitting down right after eating. You might also feel better at night if you raise the head of your bed.

Medication: If you have GERD, your doctor may give you medicine to ease your symptoms and lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. It can help for a short time by reducing stomach acid. H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), on the other hand, work to stop the production of acid. Talk to your doctor about any possible side effects and any long-term effects.

Changes to your diet: Some foods may cause or make GERD symptoms worse in some people. Keeping a food log can help you figure out what sets off your symptoms, and your doctor or a registered dietitian can help you make the right changes to your diet. This could mean cutting back on caffeine, fatty foods, booze, and carbonated drinks.

Endoscopic procedures: For more severe cases of GERD, your doctor may suggest endoscopic treatments. Stretta is one of these procedures. It uses radiofrequency energy to make the muscles of the stomach stronger and to lower reflux. The LINX device is another choice. It is a small ring of magnetic beads that is put around the lower esophageal sphincter to stop acid reflux.

Surgical intervention: In cases where other treatments have failed or when complications arise, surgery may be considered. When you have a fundoplication surgery, the upper part of your stomach is wrapped around your lower esophageal sphincter. This makes it stronger and stops reflux.

It's important to remember that treatment options for GERD can vary from person to person. Your doctor will consider your specific symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors when developing a personalized treatment plan. Openly discussing your concerns and asking questions will help you and your doctor make informed decisions about managing your GERD effectively.

Key Takeaways

Heartburn can be far more than a mild annoyance. It can be a symptom of GERD, a potentially dangerous condition that requires medical treatment if experienced regularly. Understanding and recognizing the warning signals, such as persistent discomfort, trouble swallowing, and weight loss, will help you seek care as soon as possible. When these symptoms appear, consulting a gastroenterologist can lead to an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Do not disregard chronic heartburn. Help is available, and with the correct therapy, you can manage your symptoms and enhance your quality of life.

 

Broward Health, providing service for more than 85 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward HealthPoint, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.