Related Conditions
Heartburn Terms
To best understand conditions related to heartburn, it’s good to start with a solid grasp of heartburn-related terms. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Heartburn is the burning pain you feel in your chest. It happens when excess acids in your stomach flow up, or reflux, into your esophagus.
Acid Reflux is the actual flow of stomach acid into your esophagus. It generally happens when your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and allows acid to flow upward. The action of acid reflux is what causes heartburn.
Frequent Heartburn is when you experience heartburn two or more days a week. Prilosec OTC is formulated specifically to treat frequent heartburn.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
In extreme cases of chronic, persistent heartburn, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD. Other signs of GERD include: regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and a lump feeling in your throat. If you think you may have GERD, please, talk to your doctor.
Long-Term Effects of Frequent Heartburn
If left untreated, it’s possible that frequent heartburn can lead to more serious conditions.
Esophagitis and Cancer: Over time, stomach acids that reflux can injure the lining in your esophagus, causing an inflammation called esophagitis. Esophagitis can cause bleeding and painful sores. In a small percentage of people, new cells form to replace the damaged cells. These new cells are abnormal and have the potential to turn cancerous.
Difficulty Swallowing: Damage to the esophagus can cause narrowing to the opening, making swallowing difficult.
Voice and Dental Problems: Stomach acid can damage the throat, leading to laryngitis and hoarseness. They can also damage tooth enamel.
