Heartburn and GERD Center

General Overview

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the lower chest—the main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

More about GERD

InDepth

Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures

Preventing Heartburn

Avoiding foods that cause heartburn

While foods aren't normally the cause of GERD, they may aggravate its symptoms. Learn more about which foods are commonly irritating.

Pain relief medications: are they good for you?

Aside from stomach problems, some research suggests that pain medications can cause complications of GERD, particularly in the elderly.

Special Topics

Is it heartburn or a heart attack?

The chest pain known as angina, which is a symptom of coronary artery disease, is sometimes misinterpreted as heartburn, and vice versa. This article outlines how to differentiate between one chest pain and another.

Heartburn: not just for adults—kids get it too

Your family has just finished dinner when someone at the table starts feeling a burning sensation in their chest. It isn’t your spouse or Aunt Mabel, but your child. The burning sensation, or heartburn, is one symptom of GERD.

Related Conditions

Natural and Alternative Treatments (By Condition)

American College of Gastroenterology http://www.acg.gi.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse http://www.niddk.nih.gov

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.