When heartburn may be a sign of something more serious

Heartburn. Acid reflux. GERD. You may think they’re one in the same, causing digestive upset of different varieties, but the fact is that they’re not. At the office of The Gastroenterology Group of Northern New Jersey, our skilled professionals are highly trained at diagnosing the symptoms behind your digestive problem and prescribing treatments to ease the symptoms. 

Heartburn: Occurs in your digestive system, specifically, in your esophagus. Heartburn involves mild to severe pain in the chest. It’s sometimes mistaken for a heart attack.   Heartburn usually occurs after eating. Bending over or lying down can make it feel worse. We will evaluate your condition to ensure your heartburn is not a symptom of a more severe problem. 

Acid reflux:  A common condition that features heartburn in the lower chest area. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. Acid reflux can cause heartburn, cough, sore throat, sour taste in the mouth and burning and pressure that extends up to the breastbone. 

GERD: A chronic form of acid reflux. It’s diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week or causes inflammation in the esophagus. Long-term damage of the esophagus can lead to cancer. 

Treatments vary depending on the type of condition you have and its severity. Lifestyle modifications (losing weight, exercising, stopping smoking) can help ease the symptoms of all three conditions, coupled with the use of over-the-counter antacid remedies. For more severe cases, we can prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms. For some patients with GERD, surgery may be recommended. 

A trusted partner in care

At the office of The Gastroenterology Group of Northern New Jersey, we are committed to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care for a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal conditions. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

By The Gastroenterology Group of Northern New Jersey
June 29, 2021