Why choose Geisinger for heartburn care?
A burning feeling in your chest and esophagus. Acid in your throat. Pain that seems to linger.
Heartburn feels different for everyone — but everyone can agree that it never feels good. Whether you have occasional flare-ups or something more persistent, your multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, surgeons and other specialists can help figure out what’s going on and how to treat it.
Here, specialists work together to develop a plan that treats the symptoms as well as the cause of your heartburn. They’ll start with guidance on lifestyle changes and medication, then recommend minimally invasive procedures only when it benefits your long-term health.
And if your heartburn turns out to be something more complex, like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), you’ll already have a team whose only goal is to get you back to feeling like yourself.
Treatments and services we offer
Related specialties
FAQs
What is heartburn?
The name is a little misleading — heartburn has nothing to do with your heart.
Heartburn is a burning pain in the chest or throat that often happens after you eat. It’s a symptom of acid reflux, which happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. This burning sensation can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
What does heartburn feel like?
Heartburn can feel different for you than it does for someone else. Your heartburn may feel like:
- A pain or burning sensation in the center of your chest
- Strong acid taste in your mouth or in the back of your throat
- Sore throat or cough
- Discomfort in your chest when you bend over or lie down
Because acidic or spicy foods can trigger heartburn, you may not have these symptoms long-term. In fact, heartburn can be temporary. But if you have heartburn more than twice a week, or if it lasts more than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor so they can rule out a more serious condition like GERD.
What causes heartburn?
Heartburn is common and can have many different causes, including:
- Eating acidic, spicy or fatty foods: Foods like tomatoes, garlic, onions, citrus or chocolate are common triggers of indigestion and heartburn.
- Being over a certain weight: People who have high body fat — especially around the waist area — are more likely to get heartburn.
- Lifestyle choices: Like smoking, drinking alcohol or drinking carbonated beverages.
- Certain over-the-counter medications: Antihistamines or pain relievers, for example, can trigger heartburn.
- Other risk factors: Other things that can increase the likelihood of heartburn are pregnancy or having a hiatal hernia.
How do doctors diagnose heartburn?
Your experienced team of gastrointestinal (GI) specialists may do a variety of tests to determine the cause of your heartburn. Some tests may include:
- GERD questionnaire: Your doctor may give you a brief screening questionnaire to find out whether you have acid reflux or GERD.
- Endoscopy: Your doctor uses an endoscope — a long, thin tube with a camera on the end — to get a clear view of your digestive tract.
- X-ray: This allows your doctor to see the condition of your stomach and esophagus and potentially rule out other causes of your symptoms.
- 48-hour Bravo™ esophageal pH test: During this minimally invasive test, your doctor uses an endoscope to attach a small capsule to your esophagus. It measures pH levels in your throat to determine how much acid is backing up into your esophagus and how often. The capsule transmits that information to a small receiver you wear, which your doctor will analyze once the 48-hour window is over.
Heartburn care at Geisinger
Here, your team is dedicated to providing innovative treatments and personalized care centered on you. They offer:
- The knowledge you need: Your care team is made up of gastroenterologists, surgeons, doctors and specialists with years of training and experience. They treat many patients with heartburn and GERD each year, bringing that expertise to every patient they see, including you.
- Care designed for you, where you live: With locations throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania, your team provides consultations and comprehensive care where it’s most convenient. They offer leading-edge treatment options and tailored-to-you care, backed by a nationally recognized health system.
- Specialized GI procedures: Get leading-edge treatments for common and complex GI issues, including the BarrxTM radiofrequency ablation system, Bravo test and pH nasal probe.