December 20, 2017
Is It Holiday Heartburn -- Or Could It Be GERD?
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The holiday meal has been consumed, the plates cleared away, and then you feel it -- that all-too-familiar burning sensation of heartburn. While just about everyone experiences episodes of heartburn or "indigestion" from time to time, heartburn that occurs more than once a week, becomes more severe, or happens at night and wakes you from sleep may indicate something more. An underlying condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) could be the cause.
GERD is a long-term condition that occurs when stomach contents repeatedly flow backward (or reflux) into the esophagus (food tube). Over time this can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing uncomfortable symptoms. While most people with GERD have mild symptoms, left untreated, repeated reflux and irritation of the tissue of the esophagus can lead to complications such as tissue damage or difficulty swallowing.
"It is important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis when you have signs and symptoms of GERD," said Cecile T. Rooker, Executive Director of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). "Your healthcare provider can then work with you to develop a treatment plan to help best manage your symptoms."
To help you avoid heartburn from making an unwanted appearance this holiday season, IFFGD offers the following five tips:
"Persistent or repeated heartburn can signal that it's time to talk to your doctor," said Rooker. "GERD is more than simple heartburn. If you suspect that you may have GERD, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional."
For more information, visit www.aboutGERD.org.