Heartburn Quiz

Almost everyone gets acid indigestion, or heartburn, at some point. You can get heartburn by eating either too much food or foods that are high in fat. It can also be caused by alcohol, cigarettes, and even medication, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Most heartburn is not serious. However, if you get heartburn frequently and using antacids or other over-the-counter heartburn medications for more than two weeks doesn’t offer relief, you should see a doctor. Your heartburn may be a symptom of something more serious, says the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

If you experience those symptoms, in any combination, with or without heartburn, seek immediate medical help. You may be experiencing a heart attack, according to the ACP.

Heartburn is not a disease. It is a symptom. Most people get occasional heartburn after eating or when lying down, says the ACP. Heartburn is typically described as a burning sensation in the upper abdomen – under your ribs – and sometimes radiates all the way to your neck. It often comes with a feeling of bloating and a need to burp. Sometimes it can cause nausea and vomiting, or cause acid to back up into your throat. It can be short-lived or last for hours.

Acid reflux and GERD are related, but GERD is the more serious condition. Acid reflux or acid regurgitation is caused when stomach acid moves back into your esophagus, according to the NIDDK. Usually this happens because the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve at the bottom of the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, opens up when it shouldn’t or doesn’t close properly. You may have GERD if this occurs more than twice a week.

The NIDDK says that these common foods can also make your symptoms worse: Fried and fatty foods; garlic and onions; citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, pineapple); chocolate and mint; alcoholic or caffeinated beverages; spicy foods; and tomato-based foods like pizza, salsa, and chili.

The NIDDK says lifestyle changes are your best and first defense against recurring heartburn and GERD. However, if your symptoms do not go away within a couple weeks of making those changes, you should see your doctor to discuss other alternatives.

Antacids may provide quick relief of your symptoms by neutralizing the acid in your stomach. Other products, called H2-receptor blockers, reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. They may not act as quickly, but they usually last longer, according to the AAFP. Other drugs also control acid production and work to heal your esophagus at the same time. Be sure to read all the instructions and warnings on these or any drugs before you take them. And check with your pharmacist to make sure they don’t interact with other medicines you take.

Your doctor may perform an endoscopy to check for more serious problems, says the NIDDK. During an endoscopy, a long, thin tube is inserted down your esophagus and into your stomach to check for ulcers in the esophagus or stomach, or other problems. He or she may also check the pH balance of the acid in your stomach.

Over time, frequent exposure to stomach acid can cause bleeding in your esophagus. This is called esophagitis, the NIDDK says. Acid can also cause scarring and a narrowing of your esophagus, making it difficult to swallow. It is also possible to get Barrett’s esophagus, in which the cells in your esophagus change in shape and color. Over time, this can lead to esophageal cancer. GERD can also make asthma worse, causing a chronic cough and even pulmonary fibrosis.