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Heartburn Heartburn Basics

When is Heartburn Just Heartburn?

Summary & Participants

Heartburn has millions of Americans running to the shelves of their supermarkets and drugstores to end their discomfort. Most of the time, over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes can provide relief. Listen in as doctors explain the symptoms of heartburn, when you can safely self-medicate, and what warning signs require medical evaluation.

Medically Reviewed On: July 01, 2008

Webcast Transcript

STEVEN PEIKIN, MD: First thing what you do when you have a person with heartburn, is I talk about lifestyle changes.

I tell patients to avoid foods that can precipitate heartburn. These are foods that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter. The foods that tend to relax that sphincter are peppermint, chocolate, nuts, caffeine, and greasy foods.

One other thing I tell the patients is don't eat for three hours or four hours before lying down. If you lie down soon after eating, then the acid is going to be in the stomach and it's easier to come back up into the esophagus.

ANNOUNCER: There are occasions when acid reflux can cause changes in the lining of the esophagus that sometimes progresses to a more serious condition.

What are the symptoms that should send a person to a doctor?

STUART SPECHLER, MD: If you're getting heartburn and you notice that your weight is dropping, you'd better get in to be evaluated quickly.

If food gets stuck in your chest on the way down -- that's something that could also be more than just simple heartburn. If you have any signs of bleeding -- in other words, if you've either thrown up blood or if you notice that your stools have become black, that's a warning symptom that you really ought to get yourself into the, into the physician.

If it hurts when you swallow -- that is, whenever you're swallowing you're feeling pain in your chest at the same time, that's another warning symptom.

ANNOUNCER: Gastroenterologists want people to know that acid reflux can lead to serious disease.

But they also want people to understand usually it does not.

STEVEN PEIKIN, MD: When you want to let the population know that there is a risk of developing complications to heartburn, you don't want to overstate the risk. I think there's a possibility that maybe we have scared some people thinking, "Oh, if I have heartburn, I'm going to get cancer."

ANNOUNCER: And when no signs point toward a more serious condition, doctors say patients should feel confident relying on readily-available medications.

MAN ON STREET #2: I use the antacids throughout the day usually. I like to drink a lot of coffee and coffee seems to really give me give me a lot of heartburn.

ANNOUNCER: Antacids are just one type of over-the-counter medicine for heartburn. They provide quick relief by neutralizing stomach acid.

Other drugs, called H-2 blockers, provide longer relief, by reducing acid production.

These medications can be taken alone, or in combination.

STUART SPECHLER, MD: Somebody who has heartburn that doesn't have any alarm symptoms, just simple heartburn, I think that person is very well justified in trying over-the-counter medications.

MAN ON STREET #2: I have some spicy mustard on there with a hint of barbecue sauce. So yeah, this going to be a doosy. You know it's a great sandwich. But definitely does give you heartburn. Right here. It's absolutely no question about it.

STEVEN PEIKIN, MD: Even if it isn't the most serious problem in the world, it's something that really affects a lot of people and they really ought to know that there are very good remedies for this condition.

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