Heartburn

Do you ever experience burning chest pain? Or the bitter taste of acid in the back of your mouth? You may notice it happens after you eat or drink. Or right after you lay down to go to bed.

Heartburn is a problem that more than 15 million Americans experience every day. Dealing with this symptom can be frustrating. Especially when you don’t know what causes it.

This page will discuss when you should see a gastroenterologist for heartburn. And how we diagnose and treat this symptom. We’ll also explore potential causes of heartburn. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to get rid of heartburn by making diet and lifestyle changes.

Occasional heartburn is usually harmless. But persistent heartburn can cause damage to your esophagus. If you experience heartburn more than once a week, you should contact your doctor.

Other signs that you should see a gastroenterologist for heartburn include:

• Wheezing cough
• Regurgitation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Difficulty swallowing

Gastroenterologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat conditions in the digestive tract. We can help you manage heartburn symptoms and prevent the development of medical complications such as esophageal cancer.

The diagnosis of heartburn is often based on your symptoms. But we may also complete testing to diagnose your specific case.

Tests that can diagnose heartburn include:

• Upper endoscopy
• Barium x-ray
• Esophageal pH monitoring

Treatment of heartburn depends on your diagnosis and the extent of damage to the esophagus. Treatment may include:

• Medication
• Dietary changes
• Lifestyle modifications
• Surgery

A gastroenterologist can provide expert treatment that is more effective than over-the-counter medications. Antacids can relieve symptoms of heartburn. But you should not use this medication long-term without the supervision of a doctor.

Often, you can control your symptoms without medication. Diet and lifestyle modifications can be just as useful for the treatment of heartburn.

But in some instances, you may need prescription medication to manage your condition. Your doctor may prescribe the following medicines:

• Foaming agents
• Proton pump inhibitors
• Prokinetics

In rare cases of heartburn, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat your condition. Surgical procedures may include:

• Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (Nissen fundoplication)
• Esophagectomy
• Linx surgery

Heartburn is often associated with burning chest pain or acid reflux. Symptoms of heartburn occur when stomach acid or undigested food flow backward into the esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that runs from your mouth to your stomach.

The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. When heartburn occurs, this valve doesn’t shut properly. Which allows the contents of the stomach to leak into the esophagus.

Your stomach contains harsh contents, including stomach acid and digestive enzymes that help break down food. These contents can damage the sensitive lining of the esophagus and produce symptoms of heartburn.

There are many potential causes of heartburn. Reasons may include diet, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions.

Some trigger foods for heartburn include:

• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Carbonated beverages
• Citrus fruits
• Tomato-based products
• Spicy foods
• Greasy foods
• Peppermint

The following lifestyle choices may also cause heartburn:

• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Eating before bed
• Eating large meals
• Sedentary lifestyle

Medical conditions that cause heartburn may include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Barrett’s esophagus
• Esophageal cancer

Your quality of life may drastically improve by making diet and lifestyle changes. Below, we’ll discuss how to get rid of heartburn using some of these strategies.

Avoid Trigger Foods

Certain foods can cause heartburn by opening the lower esophageal sphincter. Once you cut trigger foods from your diet, you should notice an improvement in your symptoms. Keeping a food diary can help you identify these foods.

Eat Smaller Meals

Eating large meals can cause heartburn by increasing pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can relieve pressure on the esophagus. And as a result, reduce symptoms of heartburn.

Don’t Eat Before Bed

Eating before bedtime is another trigger for heartburn. You should avoid eating 2-3 hours before bed. When you lay down after eating, undigested food and stomach acid can leak into the esophagus. Elevating your head on pillows can prevent this from happening.

Quit Smoking

Smoking reduces the production of saliva, which is responsible for neutralizing stomach acid. Smoking also weakens the lower esophageal sphincter. This combination of factors increases the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus and results in heartburn.

Limit Alcohol

Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid, which can cause worsening symptoms of heartburn. If you notice burning chest pain after drinking alcohol, you should reduce your consumption. In severe cases of heartburn, you may need to cut alcohol from your diet.

Lose Weight

Excess abdominal weight can increase symptoms of heartburn by applying pressure to the esophagus. Regular exercise can help you lose weight and improve your symptoms.

Dr. Sameer Islam is a gastroenterologist and West Texas native. He provides natural treatments to heal your digestive symptoms.

If you want relief from heartburn, you can schedule an appointment online or call our office at (806) 696-4440.