If you’re one of the millions of people bothered by heartburn (or acid reflux), it’s tempting to write it off as nothing more than an uncomfortable annoyance. But heartburn may be a sign of something more serious, and knowing the signs to watch for can help you get the treatment you need to prevent those problems from developing.
Our team at Digestive Disease Specialists in Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf, Iowa, has extensive experience diagnosing the cause of heartburn and its related symptoms, helping every patient get the care they need to stay healthy.
In this post, we review nine warning signs that indicate it’s time to have your heartburn symptoms evaluated by our team.
Everyone has heartburn now and then, especially after a big meal, after eating fried or spicy foods, or when eating shortly before bed.
On the other hand, if you’re experiencing frequent heartburn or you have symptoms regularly, you might be dealing with a more serious issue, like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), that needs prompt medical attention.
Occasional heartburn typically responds well to over-the-counter antacids or acid-reducing medications. However, if your symptoms persist despite treatment or you need increasing amounts of these products to find relief, it’s time to be evaluated by our team.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows backward into your esophagus. Over time, harsh acids irritate your esophagus, making it narrower and stiffer and eventually leading to difficulty swallowing.
Also called dysphagia, swallowing disorders can make it feel like you have a lump or food stuck in your throat. These symptoms can worsen and should never be ignored.
When stomach acid backs up or refluxes, it doesn’t just affect your esophagus. When acid irritates your throat, it can trigger coughing. A persistent cough in the absence of a cold, allergies, or other respiratory cause could be related to your heartburn symptoms.
Likewise, repeated exposure to stomach acid can irritate your vocal cords and surrounding tissues. As a result, you might experience ongoing hoarseness, raspiness, or a feeling that you need to clear your throat.
Burning or pain sensations in the center of your chest are often associated with heartburn and GERD. That said, chest pain can also be associated with heart ailments.
For this reason, any new, severe, or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated medically to determine the cause so that it can be treated appropriately.
It’s not uncommon for heartburn symptoms to worsen when you lie down. A prone position makes it easier for stomach acids to flow backward.
On the other hand, symptoms that wake you regularly may indicate poorly controlled reflux. Delaying treatment could lead to increased irritation and damage to the esophageal tissues.
Lots of factors can lead to occasional nausea or an upset stomach, but if you have nausea symptoms in addition to heartburn, there’s a good chance the two may be related.
This combination could be a sign of a more serious digestive issue requiring prompt treatment to avoid complications and protect your gastroesophageal tract.
GERD or heartburn don’t cause weight loss on their own, but if your symptoms make you avoid eating or they’re accompanied by vomiting, they might be related. If you find the number on your scale is dropping without making changes to your diet or activity level, it's important to find out why.
Acid reflux is a common medical complaint with potential causes well beyond occasional heartburn or poor dietary habits. Finding out what’s causing persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms is essential not only for finding relief, but for ruling out — and treating — potentially serious medical problems.
If your reflux is becoming more frequent or more severe or is accompanied by any of these warning signs, don’t delay care. Book an appointment online or over the phone with Digestive Disease Specialists today.
