Is
it just heartburn or something more serious?
Newswise — What’s your
heartburn IQ? The American College of
Gastroenterology has created a quiz to test your
knowledge about heartburn, its symptoms, and
what to do to reduce heartburn discomfort. The
test comes complete with answers and
explanations from the digestive health experts
at ACG.
1. Heartburn is
uncomfortable, but never a serious health
problem.
o True
o False
Answer: False
Heartburn can be a symptom of a serious problem
called “gastroesophageal reflux disease” or GERD.
It’s estimated that over 60 million Americans
have heartburn once a month, and more than 15
million experience heartburn symptoms each day.
2. GERD/heartburn is caused
by regurgitation or reflux of acidic stomach
contents into the esophagus which connects the
mouth and stomach.
o True
o False
Answer: True
People experience heartburn when excessive
amounts of acid from the stomach reflux into the
esophagus.
3. Symptoms of GERD
include:
a. burning chest pain
b. regurgitation of bitter or sour liquid
c. difficulty swallowing
d. excessive clearing of the throat
e. all of the above
Answer: E
These symptoms characterize a major portion of
GERD sufferers. If they persist, you should see
a doctor.
4. Ignoring persistent
heartburn symptoms can lead to severe health
consequences.
o True
o False
Answer: True
If left untreated, frequent heartburn sufferers
with persistent symptoms can experience severe
complications such as esophageal strictures,
Barrett’s Esophagus (pre-cancerous condition),
or in some rare cases, esophageal cancer.
5. You can reduce heartburn symptoms by doing
all of the following except:
a. Eat smaller meals
b. Control your weight
c. Avoid tight fitting clothes
d. Lie down after a meal
Correct Answer: D
When you lie down it's easier for stomach
contents (including acid) to back up into the
esophagus, particularly when you go to bed with
a full stomach. Wait at least three to four
hours after eating before going to bed, and
don’t lie down right after eating.
6. Pregnancy can increase
the risk of heartburn or GERD symptoms.
o True
o False
Answer: True
Pregnancy results in greater pressure on the
stomach and a higher production of the hormone
progesterone. This hormone relaxes the lower
esophageal sphincter muscle, which can allow
more acid to reflux into the esophagus.
7. Some common heartburn
triggers include:
a. smoking
b. caffeine
c. chocolate, peppermint
d. fatty and spicy foods
e. tomato sauces
f. all of the above
Answer: F
Tobacco stimulates stomach acid production and
relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter
permitting acid reflux to occur. Studies show
avoiding caffeine, chocolate, fatty/spicy foods,
and tomato sauce can help relieve acid
indigestion.
8. You should see a doctor
if you experience any of the following:
a. heartburn two or more times a week
b. don’t get lasting relief from medication
c. difficulty swallowing
d. unexplained weight loss
e. reflux symptoms over more than a year
f. all of the above
Answer: F
Persistent symptoms of heartburn and reflux
should not be ignored. By seeing your doctor
early, the physical cause of GERD can be treated
and more serious problems avoided.
For more information about
heartburn and GERD, visit the ACG website at
http://www.acg.gi.org.
About the American College of Gastroenterology
Founded in 1932, the American College of
Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with
an international membership of more than 10,000
individuals from 80 countries. The College is
committed to serving the clinically oriented
digestive disease specialist through its
emphasis on scholarly practice, teaching and
research. The mission of the College is to serve
the evolving needs of physicians in the delivery
of high quality, scientifically sound,
humanistic, ethical, and cost-effective health
care to gastroenterology patients.
