What is common heartburn? Most people get occasional heartburn—an estimated 10 million adults in the U.S. are affected daily. It can occur when the contents of your stomach back up, or reflux, into your esophagus. You might experience this after you eat a large meal or do something strenuous, like bending over or stooping. You may even experience heartburn when lying down. What are the symptoms of reflux? With reflux, you can get an annoying burning sensation in the back of your throat, or sometimes you may feel a little chest pain or even some indigestion. Coughing or wheezing may actually be reflux related. But heartburn isn’t that serious, right? If you experience symptoms more than two to three times per week, you may have a more serious problem. Long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may cause injury to the lining of the esophagus, which can increase the risk for cancer (a condition called Barrett’s esophagus). Esophageal stricture, which is scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, can also occur, often making it hard to swallow. How do I find out if I have GERD? Tell your doctor how you are feeling, and be honest about how frequently you experience symptoms. Your physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist who specializes in diseases of the esophagus. He or she may recommend one of several tests to help evaluate your condition. What are the most common treatments for reflux? With basic heartburn, sometimes an antacid like Tums® can provide relief. Smoking cessation and weight loss are two lifestyle changes that are most helpful in decreasing reflux. There are medications, in addition to antacids, that can provide relief for patients suffering from GERD. For some patients, anti-reflux surgery is also an option. If you suffer from GERD-like symptoms, the MedStar Georgetown Center for GI Motility and Heartburn team can evaluate you and give you guidance on how to keep your esophagus healthy. To schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call 855-546-1668. G Heartburn can affect all of us. Usually it is fairly harmless. If it occurs often, it is worth evaluating further. Because You Asked: When Is Common Heartburn Worth Checking Out? “Because You Asked” focuses on topics suggested by our readers. If you want to suggest topics for future issues of this newsletter, please email them to [email protected]. MyGeorgetownMD asked MedStar Georgetown Gastroenterologist Caren Palese, MD, to answer some questions about acid reflux disease. Dr. Palese is the Director of the MedStar Georgetown Center for Gastrointestinal Motility and Heartburn. Welcome New Physicians MedStar Georgetown is pleased to introduce the following doctors: Anesthesia Hannah Schobel, DO Family Medicine Sarah Kureshi, MD, MPH Cardiology Umberto Campia, MD Gastroenterology Thomas M. Loughney, MD Infectious Diseases Bernardine Mohanraj, MD William Wright, DO Pediatric Neurology/Sleep Medicine Temitayo Oyegbile, MD Radiology Ross Filice, MD David Field, MD Amy Campbell, MD Reflux Tests • EGD testing: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)—is often used to examine the esophagus for damage and take biopsies to evaluate changes at the cellular level. • Wireless Bravo pH testing: A small capsule is placed in the lower esophagus to measure the pH levels and transmit data to specialists who evaluate whether symptoms are actually related to reflux disease. • Catheter-based impedance pH testing: The frequency of acidic and alkaline reflux episodes from the stomach into the esophagus are recorded. This test can help determine whether a patient’s anti- reflux medication is working.

Because You Asked: When Is Common Heartburn Worth …...Most people get occasional heartburn—an estimated 10 million adults in the U.S. are affected daily. It can occur when the

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Page 1: Because You Asked: When Is Common Heartburn Worth …...Most people get occasional heartburn—an estimated 10 million adults in the U.S. are affected daily. It can occur when the

What are the symptoms of reflux?With reflux, you can get an annoying burning sensation in the back of your throat, or sometimes you may feel a little chest pain or even some indigestion. Coughing or wheezing may actually be reflux related.

But heartburn isn’t that serious, right?If you experience symptoms more than two to three times per week, you may have a more serious problem. Long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may cause injury to

the lining of the esophagus, which can increase the risk for cancer (a condition called Barrett’s esophagus). Esophageal stricture, which is scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, can also occur, often making it hard to swallow.

How do I find out if I have GERD? Tell your doctor how you are feeling, and be honest about how frequently you experience symptoms. Your physician may refer you to a gastroenterologist who specializes in diseases of the esophagus. He or she may recommend one of several tests to help evaluate your condition.

What are the most common treatments for reflux?With basic heartburn, sometimes an antacid like Tums® can provide relief. Smoking cessation and weight loss are two lifestyle changes that are most helpful in decreasing reflux.

There are medications, in addition to antacids, that can provide relief for patients suffering from GERD. For some patients, anti-reflux surgery is also an option.

If you suffer from GERD-like symptoms, the MedStar Georgetown Center for GI Motility and Heartburn team can evaluate you and give you guidance on how to keep your esophagus healthy.

To schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call

855-546-1668.

G Heartburn can affect all of us. Usually it is fairly harmless. If it occurs often, it is worth evaluating further.

Because You Asked: When Is Common Heartburn Worth Checking Out?“Because You Asked” focuses on topics suggested by our readers. If you want to suggest topics for future issues of this newsletter, please email them to [email protected].

MyGeorgetownMD asked MedStar Georgetown Gastroenterologist Caren Palese, MD, to answer some questions about acid reflux disease. Dr. Palese is the Director of the MedStar Georgetown Center for Gastrointestinal Motility and Heartburn.

Welcome New PhysiciansMedStar Georgetown is pleased to introduce the following doctors:

Anesthesia Hannah Schobel, DO

Family Medicine Sarah Kureshi, MD, MPH

CardiologyUmberto Campia, MD

GastroenterologyThomas M. Loughney, MD

Infectious Diseases Bernardine Mohanraj, MDWilliam Wright, DO

Pediatric Neurology/Sleep Medicine Temitayo Oyegbile, MD

RadiologyRoss Filice, MDDavid Field, MDAmy Campbell, MD

Reflux Tests• EGD testing:

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD)—is often used to examine theesophagus for damage and takebiopsies to evaluate changes at thecellular level.

• Wireless Bravo pH testing: A smallcapsule is placed in the loweresophagus to measure the pH levelsand transmit data to specialists whoevaluate whether symptoms areactually related to reflux disease.

• Catheter-based impedance pHtesting: The frequency of acidicand alkaline reflux episodes fromthe stomach into the esophagus arerecorded. This test can helpdetermine whether a patient’s anti-reflux medication is working.

Http://MedStarGeorgetown.org/Heartburn