What you eat and drink is supposed to travel only one way in your body, and that’s down. When acid from inside your stomach flows backward, or up, into your esophagus and throat instead, you experience acid reflux. It’s that feeling of a mild burning sensation in the mid-chest that often occurs after eating a big meal, drinking coffee or alcohol, or when lying down soon after eating. It may cause a nasty sour taste in your mouth as well.

Occasional acid reflux, or heartburn, is common. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s not a disease. “Heartburn can be a bit concerning because of the burning sensation you may get in the middle of your chest, but it really has nothing to do with the heart — and that’s a good thing,” explains gastroenterologist Tasneem Ahmed, D.O., of Texas Health Digestive Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice in Fort Worth.

Ahmed says acid reflux can happen for a number of reasons, including:

• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Eating certain foods 
• Stress and anxiety
• Being pregnant
• Hiatal hernia
• Some medications

Most people with acid reflux can manage their discomfort with lifestyle changes and medicines. Acid reflux can be adequately treated at home with over-the-counter antacids and by eating smaller meals and avoiding known food culprits. “Adding ginger to your diet, reducing your stress, and refraining from lying down for several hours after eating are good measures to take as well,” Ahmed notes. “As with any health condition, it is most often treatable when addressed early.”

When Heartburn Becomes Something More

Sometimes acid reflux has the ability to progress to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The two are related but a little different, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. GERD is a more serious form of acid reflux. In GERD, the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus occurs repeatedly and can lead to complications over time. If left untreated, GERD can cause serious conditions such as esophagitis, a pre-malignant condition called Barrett's esophagus, or even esophageal cancer.

If you have long-lasting symptoms that disrupt your daily life, Ahmed says it’s important to visit with a gastroenterologist (GI doctor). “A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system. We’re trained to review your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and lay out a treatment plan that will help put you on a path to better digestive health.”

Ahmed recommends seeing a gastroenterologist for acid reflux if you experience any of the following symptoms: 

• You have heartburn more than twice a week, or it persists after taking over-the-counter medications.
• Your symptoms last for more than two weeks.
• Your acid reflux interferes with your daily activities or affects your quality of life.
• Your episodes affect your sleep quality.
• You experience unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite.
• You have throat or esophageal pain or difficulty swallowing.
• You have severe chest pain.
• You experience shortness of breath.

The Takeaway

Finding a gastroenterologist might not be your first thought when you have occasional acid reflux, but a gastroenterologist is trained to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment that can get you back to living life without disruption. Whether your acid reflux bothers you a little or a lot, it’s a good idea to discuss what you are experiencing with a GI doctor. The specialist can assess whether it’s causing complications that you may be unaware of. If you have severe GERD, it’s especially important to get help.

“If medication and lifestyle changes don’t provide symptom relief, minimally invasive surgery might be an effective treatment option,” Ahmed adds. “Either way, it’s worth treating your GI symptoms so you can move on before real damage is done.”

Texas Health offers a network of digestive health specialists to help you live more comfortably. Find a digestive health specialist near you or take our acid reflux assessment at TexasHealth.org.