For Call-Out Box:
Dr. Nicholas Maxwell, Monroe Clinic General Surgeon, presents "Heartburn Solutions."
What: "Heartburn Solutions" presented by Nicholas Maxwell, MD, General Surgery
When: Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 6 p.m.
Where: Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall (lower level of clinic building), 515 22nd Ave., Monroe, WI
Registration: Space is limited for this free event. Refreshments will be served. To register, call 1-877-865-1462 or visit www.monroeclinic.org and click on "Classes & Events."
Topics Covered: Participants will learn how to navigate the "medication maze," how to decrease the health risks connected with chronic heartburn, what the newest treatment options are and if they're right for the individual.
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Column as follows:
"GERD vs. Heartburn"
Dr. Nicholas Maxwell, General Surgeon
Q. Because I experience heartburn from time to time, does this automatically mean I have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Can you have one without the other?
A. Many people will experience heartburn at some point in their lives. While some of us might experience it on occasion, it doesn't necessarily imply we have GERD, a disease that can cause chronic discomfort, a lower quality of life and increased risk of serious complications.
While heartburn and GERD aren't really interchangeable terms, heartburn does happen to be the most common symptom of GERD. If someone suffers from frequent or severe heartburn, this is a good indicator of GERD, though further medical evaluation is the only way to confirm or rule out a GERD diagnosis.
Understanding Heartburn
Heartburn actually doesn't have anything to do with your heart. It occurs when stomach acid irritates your esophagus. Ideally, stomach acid should stay in the stomach and away from the esophagus, thanks to a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES normally only opens to allow entry of food from the esophagus into the stomach or allow for the occasional burp. However, if the LES opens too often or doesn't close tightly, it can cause acid to seep up into the esophagus.
Common causes of heartburn include:
-over-eating
-eating certain foods (spicy foods, citrus foods, garlic, onions, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, caffeine, peppermint)
-eating fatty foods
-stress (which can cause acid production)
-smoking
-certain medications
-alcohol
-anything that increases stomach pressure (obesity, pregnancy)
-hiatal hernia
Common symptoms of heartburn include:
-burning sensation in throat or chest, often after eating
-problems swallowing
-sore throat or hoarseness
-chronic cough
-sour taste in mouth
Another possible symptom of heartburn is chest pain, often after bending over, lying down, or eating. However, since chest pain is also a common symptom of heart disease, it's important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience this symptom.
GERD: More Than Heartburn
Occasional or infrequent bouts of heartburn are usually harmless and can generally be managed with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medicines. When the heartburn is chronic and severe, as with GERD, the situation becomes more serious. If the esophagus is continually exposed to stomach acid, irritation and discomfort are not the only problems.
The acid can inflame the esophageal lining and from here, a number of complications can occur. These include:
- narrowing of the esophagus
- esophageal bleeding or ulcers
- Barrett's esophagus-a potentially precancerous condition
Researchers are also looking into a link between GERD and asthma. While studies show people with asthma are twice as likely to have GERD than those who don't have asthma, the question of "Which comes first?" has not been completely answered. GERD can trigger asthma symptoms, but asthma and its medications can also contribute to GERD symptoms. It does appear that managing GERD also helps relieve asthma symptoms.
While conventional heartburn treatment measures may provide temporary relief of GERD symptoms, long term management of GERD may require additional treatment. This can range from prescription medication to surgery.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you experience heartburn and wonder if you may have GERD, you'll want to ask yourself:
- Does heartburn disrupt my sleep?
- Has my heartburn become worse?
- Do heartburn symptoms occur regularly (more than once a week)?
- Do I have problems swallowing?
- Do over-the-counter medicines fail to provide complete relief or am I increasing dosage to control my symptoms?
- Am I ever hoarse or experience more asthma symptoms after eating, exercising or when lying down?
-Does heartburn disrupt my day-to-day lifestyle?
If you find yourself answering yes to any of these questions, you should consult your primary care giver so they can evaluate the situation. From lifestyle changes to medication, GERD can and should be managed.
If symptoms persist or the condition is severe, surgery may be the patient's best option. In recent years, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery has become a very effective treatment option for many GERD sufferers and offers several advantages to the patient, such as reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and reduced scarring.
ABOUT DR. MAXWELL:
Nicholas Maxwell, M.D., F.A.C.S, is board certified in General Surgery. He joined Monroe Clinic in 1989 and is skilled in a wide range of procedures including treatment for GERD (acid reflux). To make an appointment with Dr. Maxwell, please call 608-324-2300.
###
Dr. Nicholas Maxwell, Monroe Clinic General Surgeon, presents "Heartburn Solutions."
What: "Heartburn Solutions" presented by Nicholas Maxwell, MD, General Surgery
When: Thursday, August 28, 2008, at 6 p.m.
Where: Monroe Clinic's Founders Hall (lower level of clinic building), 515 22nd Ave., Monroe, WI
Registration: Space is limited for this free event. Refreshments will be served. To register, call 1-877-865-1462 or visit www.monroeclinic.org and click on "Classes & Events."
Topics Covered: Participants will learn how to navigate the "medication maze," how to decrease the health risks connected with chronic heartburn, what the newest treatment options are and if they're right for the individual.
###
Column as follows:
"GERD vs. Heartburn"
Dr. Nicholas Maxwell, General Surgeon
Q. Because I experience heartburn from time to time, does this automatically mean I have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Can you have one without the other?
A. Many people will experience heartburn at some point in their lives. While some of us might experience it on occasion, it doesn't necessarily imply we have GERD, a disease that can cause chronic discomfort, a lower quality of life and increased risk of serious complications.
While heartburn and GERD aren't really interchangeable terms, heartburn does happen to be the most common symptom of GERD. If someone suffers from frequent or severe heartburn, this is a good indicator of GERD, though further medical evaluation is the only way to confirm or rule out a GERD diagnosis.
Understanding Heartburn
Heartburn actually doesn't have anything to do with your heart. It occurs when stomach acid irritates your esophagus. Ideally, stomach acid should stay in the stomach and away from the esophagus, thanks to a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES normally only opens to allow entry of food from the esophagus into the stomach or allow for the occasional burp. However, if the LES opens too often or doesn't close tightly, it can cause acid to seep up into the esophagus.
Common causes of heartburn include:
-over-eating
-eating certain foods (spicy foods, citrus foods, garlic, onions, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, caffeine, peppermint)
-eating fatty foods
-stress (which can cause acid production)
-smoking
-certain medications
-alcohol
-anything that increases stomach pressure (obesity, pregnancy)
-hiatal hernia
Common symptoms of heartburn include:
-burning sensation in throat or chest, often after eating
-problems swallowing
-sore throat or hoarseness
-chronic cough
-sour taste in mouth
Another possible symptom of heartburn is chest pain, often after bending over, lying down, or eating. However, since chest pain is also a common symptom of heart disease, it's important to seek medical attention immediately if you experience this symptom.
GERD: More Than Heartburn
Occasional or infrequent bouts of heartburn are usually harmless and can generally be managed with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medicines. When the heartburn is chronic and severe, as with GERD, the situation becomes more serious. If the esophagus is continually exposed to stomach acid, irritation and discomfort are not the only problems.
The acid can inflame the esophageal lining and from here, a number of complications can occur. These include:
- narrowing of the esophagus
- esophageal bleeding or ulcers
- Barrett's esophagus-a potentially precancerous condition
Researchers are also looking into a link between GERD and asthma. While studies show people with asthma are twice as likely to have GERD than those who don't have asthma, the question of "Which comes first?" has not been completely answered. GERD can trigger asthma symptoms, but asthma and its medications can also contribute to GERD symptoms. It does appear that managing GERD also helps relieve asthma symptoms.
While conventional heartburn treatment measures may provide temporary relief of GERD symptoms, long term management of GERD may require additional treatment. This can range from prescription medication to surgery.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you experience heartburn and wonder if you may have GERD, you'll want to ask yourself:
- Does heartburn disrupt my sleep?
- Has my heartburn become worse?
- Do heartburn symptoms occur regularly (more than once a week)?
- Do I have problems swallowing?
- Do over-the-counter medicines fail to provide complete relief or am I increasing dosage to control my symptoms?
- Am I ever hoarse or experience more asthma symptoms after eating, exercising or when lying down?
-Does heartburn disrupt my day-to-day lifestyle?
If you find yourself answering yes to any of these questions, you should consult your primary care giver so they can evaluate the situation. From lifestyle changes to medication, GERD can and should be managed.
If symptoms persist or the condition is severe, surgery may be the patient's best option. In recent years, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery has become a very effective treatment option for many GERD sufferers and offers several advantages to the patient, such as reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and reduced scarring.
ABOUT DR. MAXWELL:
Nicholas Maxwell, M.D., F.A.C.S, is board certified in General Surgery. He joined Monroe Clinic in 1989 and is skilled in a wide range of procedures including treatment for GERD (acid reflux). To make an appointment with Dr. Maxwell, please call 608-324-2300.
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