Burning Questions

Answers to your most common questions about heartburn.

Is it heartburn or something more serious? Terilyn Scott, M.D., a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, answers questions about this common condition.

Q: What is heartburn?
A: It’s a lay term for GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. It’s called heartburn because it feels like a burning sensation at the base of the sternum, near the heart. You also might have discomfort higher in the chest or in the abdomen, nausea or bloating.

Q: How can I treat GERD?
A: Over-the-counter medications such as antacids (Rolaids, Tums), acid reducers (Zantac, Pepcid) or acid inhibitors (Prilosec) often help.

Q: When should I see a doctor for GERD?
A: If over-the-counter medications aren’t working, if you’re having symptoms more days of the week than not, if you’re having symptoms between meals or if your symptoms are new, you should seek medical attention.

Q: How can a doctor help?
A: He or she can prescribe medications that aren’t available over the counter or a medication that can help coat the esophagus. A doctor also will be on the lookout for what are called “alarm symptoms”—signs that something more serious than GERD is going on. These include severe abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss and difficulty eating.

Q: Is there anything else I can do?
A: Some people who are overweight—particularly if they carry the extra weight around the waist—find that their symptoms improve significantly with even a modest amount of weight loss. I had one patient who was taking two different medications twice a day, and after she lost weight she didn’t need the medicine at all anymore. The value of weight loss in treating this disease is underrated. You also can avoid foods that precipitate symptoms (see “Heartburn Triggers”) and quit smoking.

By Stephanie Thurrott

For a referral to a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at Baylor Plano, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or use our on-line physician directory.