Heartburn FAQs (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Heartburn FAQs Introduction
- Why does the acid back up into the esophagus?
- Do spicy foods cause heartburn?
- Why do I always get heartburn at night?
- Sometimes I get a sour taste in my mouth when I bend over--what is that?
- How common is heartburn?
- Is heartburn a serious condition?
- What kinds of complications are caused by frequent heartburn?
- If I have heartburn, should I see my health care provider?
- Aren't there any tests for heartburn?
- What is the treatment for heartburn?
- What are my options if these treatments don't work?
- When is surgery needed for heartburn?
- How can I prevent heartburn?
- What happens if I stop treatment?
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Is heartburn a serious condition?
Generally speaking, heartburn is not serious. An occasional bout of heartburn usually means that the foods you ate produced too much acid in the stomach. If you get heartburn often or every day, it can be a symptom of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Frequent or severe heartburn may limit your daily activities and lead to further complications.
Next: What kinds of complications are caused by frequent heartburn? »
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease »
Gastroesophageal reflux is a normal physiological phenomenon experienced intermittently by most people, particularly after a meal.
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