Register now
or
sign in to your Caremark.com account
to take advantage of your prescription benefit.
Heartburn—Overview
Heartburn—Overview(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease [GORD]; GERD; Reflux, Heartburn)
by
Debra Wood, RN DefinitionHeartburn is a burning sensation in the lower chest. Heartburn can be caused by different conditions, but most often it is related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Treatment may depend on the cause of your heartburn. In most cases, heartburn can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
Causes TOPHeartburn is caused by stomach acid that moves up into the esophagus. A muscle at the top of the stomach allows food to enter the stomach. This muscle also closes to prevent food and acid from moving back up into the esophagus. Certain conditions can keep this muscle from closing completely, which allows acid to flow out. This causes heartburn. Risk Factors TOPFactors that increase your chance of heartburn include:
Foods and beverages associated with heartburn include:
Medications and supplements associated wtih heartburn include:
Symptoms TOPHeartburn symptoms usually occur after overeating or lying down after a big meal. The symptoms may last for a few minutes or a few hours. Common heartburn symptoms may include:
Other symptoms and complications of reflux include:
If reflux persists, the acid can damage the esophagus. Symptoms of esophageal damage include:
When Should I Call My Doctor?It is common to experience heartburn occasionally. If you have heartburn at least two times a week, make an appointment to see your doctor. Call your doctor if you have any symptoms of heartburn complications. When Should I Call for Medical Help Immediately?Heartburn and chest pain due to a heart attack can feel similar. Get medical help right away if you have:
If you are not sure of the cause of any pain in your chest, call for emergency help right away. Diagnosis TOPThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis based on your symptoms. Your doctor may also take images of your esophagus or stomach with an upper GI series. A sample of your esophagus may be taken and sent for examination. This is often done during an endoscopy. Other tests may include:
Treatment TOPTalk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment will depend on what is causing your heartburn. Treatment may focus on preventing heartburn from occuring or repairing damage causing the heartburn. Lifestyle ChangesTo help decrease the indicidence of heartburn:
MedicationMedication may help relieve symptoms and repair any damage to the esophagus. Many prescription heartburn medications are available over-the-counter. Your doctor may recommend the following.
ProceduresIf symptoms are severe and you cannot tolerate medication, surgery may be an option. The most common surgery for heartburn is fundoplication. The doctor wraps the stomach around the esophagus. This creates pressure on the muscle at the opening to the stomach. Endoscopic ProceduresAn advantage of endoscopic techniques is that they do not involve incisions in the skin. Instead, the doctor inserts a lighted device called an endoscope through the mouth and down the esophagus. The doctor can perform one of a variety of procedures with this scope to decreases the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. If surgery or endoscopy is successful, you may no longer need heartburn medication. Prevention TOPThere are no current guidelines to prevent heartburn. RESOURCES:American Gastroenterological Association http://www.gastro.org National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases http://www.niddk.nih.gov CANADIAN RESOURCESCanadian Institute for Health Information http://www.cihi.ca Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca References:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated April 25, 2013. Accessed April 26, 2013.
Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/. Updated April 30, 2012. Accessed April 26, 2013.
Heartburn. American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at:
http://familydocto....
Updated July 2010. Accessed April 26, 2013.
Understanding Heartburn and Reflux Disease. American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro..... Updated April 25, 2010. Accessed April 26, 2013. Warning signs of a heart attack. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.heart.o.... Updated March 22, 2013. Accessed April 26. 2013.
9/30/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Jacobson BC, Moy B, Colditz GA, Fuchs CS. Postmenopausal hormone use and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.
Arch Intern Med.
2008;168:1798-1804.
3/1/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Maalox Total Relief and Maalox liquid products: medication use errors. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov.... Published February 17, 2010. Accessed April 26, 2013.
Last reviewed April 2013 by Daus Mahnke, MD; Brian Randall, MD Last Updated: 4/26/2013 | |