Is it just heartburn or something more serious?

Newswise — What’s your heartburn IQ? The American College of Gastroenterology has created a quiz to test your knowledge about heartburn, its symptoms, and what to do to reduce heartburn discomfort. The test comes complete with answers and explanations from the digestive health experts at ACG.

1. Heartburn is uncomfortable, but never a serious health problem.
o True
o False

Answer: False
Heartburn can be a symptom of a serious problem called “gastroesophageal reflux disease” or GERD. It’s estimated that over 60 million Americans have heartburn once a month, and more than 15 million experience heartburn symptoms each day.

2. GERD/heartburn is caused by regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus which connects the mouth and stomach.
o True
o False

Answer: True
People experience heartburn when excessive amounts of acid from the stomach reflux into the esophagus.

3. Symptoms of GERD include:
a. burning chest pain
b. regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid
c. difficulty swallowing
d. excessive clearing of the throat
e. all of the above

Answer: E
These symptoms characterize a major portion of GERD sufferers. If they persist, you should see a doctor.

4. Ignoring persistent heartburn symptoms can lead to severe health consequences.
o True
o False

Answer: True
If left untreated, frequent heartburn sufferers with persistent symptoms can experience severe complications such as esophageal strictures, Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancerous condition), or in some rare cases, esophageal cancer.

5. You can reduce heartburn symptoms by doing all of the following except:
a. Eat smaller meals
b. Control your weight
c. Avoid tight fitting clothes
d. Lie down after a meal

Correct Answer: D
When you lie down it's easier for stomach contents (including acid) to back up into the esophagus, particularly when you go to bed with a full stomach. Wait at least three to four hours after eating before going to bed, and don’t lie down right after eating.

6. Pregnancy can increase the risk of heartburn or GERD symptoms.
o True
o False

Answer: True
Pregnancy results in greater pressure on the stomach and a higher production of the hormone progesterone. This hormone relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which can allow more acid to reflux into the esophagus.

7. Some common heartburn triggers include:
a. smoking
b. caffeine
c. chocolate, peppermint
d. fatty and spicy foods
e. tomato sauces
f. all of the above

Answer: F
Tobacco stimulates stomach acid production and relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter permitting acid reflux to occur. Studies show avoiding caffeine, chocolate, fatty/spicy foods, and tomato sauce can help relieve acid indigestion.

8. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
a. heartburn two or more times a week
b. don’t get lasting relief from medication
c. difficulty swallowing
d. unexplained weight loss
e. reflux symptoms over more than a year
f. all of the above

Answer: F
Persistent symptoms of heartburn and reflux should not be ignored. By seeing your doctor early, the physical cause of GERD can be treated and more serious problems avoided.

For more information about heartburn and GERD, visit the ACG website at http://www.acg.gi.org.

About the American College of Gastroenterology
Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 10,000 individuals from 80 countries. The College is committed to serving the clinically oriented digestive disease specialist through its emphasis on scholarly practice, teaching and research. The mission of the College is to serve the evolving needs of physicians in the delivery of high quality, scientifically sound, humanistic, ethical, and cost-effective health care to gastroenterology patients.