1. Heartburn: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the GERD Quiz

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

Most cases of heartburn are treated effectively with lifestyle modifications, antacids, or prescription drugs. Relapse is common when treatment is stopped. Other possible problems caused by acid reflux include inflammation of the throat, voice box, and airways. Serious complications, such as bleeding or difficulty swallowing, are rare. A complication of chronic heartburn and inflammation of the esophagus is called Barrett's esophagus. If left untreated for years, chronic heartburn can in rare cases lead to cancer of the esophagus.

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