How I Diagnose and Treat Heartburn (Acid Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, GERD)

“Heartburn can be miserable. You may think your heartburn is caused by eating something that doesn’t agree with you (and that may be part of the problem), but heartburn can also be a symptom of a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, it’s important that you come and see me so that I can not only help you manage your symptoms, but so that I can rule out any serious problems that can have long-term consequences”.

-Dr. Bella Zimilevich, MD

Understanding heartburn (acid reflux)

Between your mouth and your stomach lies your esophagus, and at the bottom of your esophagus, where it joins your stomach, is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that acts to prevent food and stomach contents from escaping (refluxing) up into the esophagus during digestion.

In some people, the LES doesn’t function as it should. Instead of staying tightly closed, the LES opens for no reason, or is unable to close properly, allowing stomach contents to travel up into the esophagus. When stomach acid comes in contact with the delicate lining of your esophagus, you experience symptoms of heartburn.

What are the symptoms of heartburn?

The classic symptom of heartburn is a sensation of burning or pain in the upper abdomen or chest. This discomfort can be so severe that it mimics the pain of a heart attack (and if you experience new or different chest pain, you should always see a doctor immediately).

What is the difference between heartburn (reflux) and GERD?

Occasional heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux) is common. Millions of people experience heartburn once in a while. However, if you experience heartburn more than two times a week, you may have GERD, which is a risk factor for more serious conditions. Long-term reflux of acid from the stomach can damage the delicate lining of the esophagus, leading to ulceration and bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus (stricture) and other problems.

What makes GERD worse?

Medical treatment for GERD

If you experience frequent heartburn, you may have tried over-the-counter antacids such as Tums or Rolaids. These may be briefly effective at relieving your heartburn. However, these agents often contain magnesium, aluminum or calcium. If you are taking other medications or have other chronic health problems, you should not take these remedies very often without speaking to a physician.

If your heartburn is frequent and symptoms are moderate to severe, you may need a prescription medication that you can take on a regular basis. In that case, you can make an appointment to come in and see me. We’ll discuss your symptoms, what makes them worse or better and what you have tried on your own to treat your heartburn. I can prescribe an acid-blocking medication that will relieve your symptoms and allow your irritated esophagus to heal. If I am concerned that your symptoms are very severe, or that your symptoms may be caused by something else other than heartburn, I may refer you to other doctors with different expertise, but in most cases I will be the only doctor you need to see for heartburn and GERD. While you are here, we can also discuss things you can do at home to improve your symptoms.

If you suffer from frequent heartburn, make an appointment to come in and see me. Although occasional heartburn is common, frequent heartburn can be a sign of GERD, which can lead to complications if not treated. Don’t ignore frequent heartburn- make an appointment today.

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