Ignoring Heartburn Won’t Make It Go Away

DR RODGERS: Many things can cause heartburn: three-alarm chili, coffee, even an orange. But if heartburn strikes more than twice a week, don’t ignore it. You may need treatment.

Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH.

Frequent heartburn could mean you have a serious condition called GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. If left untreated, GERD can cause complications such as ulcers, or a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which can sometimes lead to cancer.

The good news is that most heartburn can be treated. Talk to your health care provider about your options, which may include prescriptions or over-the-counter medication. Your symptoms may also improve through lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, avoiding certain foods and beverages, and waiting to lie down for at least 3 hours after a meal.