What Doctor should i see for heartburning: General Physician or specialist?

Answer 1

General Physician.
Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and usually feels like a burning chest pain beginning behind the breastbone and moving upward to the neck and throat. Many people say it feels like food is coming back into the mouth leaving an acid or bitter taste.

The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating. Lying down or bending over can also result in heartburn. Many people obtain relief by standing upright or by taking an antacid that clears acid out of the esophagus.

Heartburn pain can be mistaken for the pain associated with heart disease or a heart attack, but there are differences. Exercise may aggravate pain resulting from heart disease, and rest may relieve the pain. Heartburn pain is less likely to be associated with physical activity.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

When I was having heartburn issues, I went to my GP (at first because I thought I was pregnant... haha - I don't suppose there's any chance of that happening to you!) and she prescribed me with some medication for reflux.
The medication worked well for me and I didn't have to refer to a specialist... and I wasn't pregnant ;)

Reflux is just a problem people have with their esophageal sphincter not working the way it should and so your stomach acid spills up into your esophagus. Yum.

A GP is able to prescribe some helpful medication and they are usually pretty effective, so I would say that it's probably better to visit your GP first, try the medication and if you're still having issues go for the big guns and get to a specialist.

I must add though, that reflux seems to be worse in people with obesity issues, so if you've noticed you're also stuggling with that maybe the two could be related.
I'll leave that to you :)

Hope this is helpful.
But do get it checked out so that your heartburn doesn't leave anything nasty and lasting.

Answer 4

General Physician. My GP takes care of my stomach problems.

Answer 5

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD, Acid Reflux)
Medical Author: Jay W. Marks, M.D.
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.
What is GERD (acid reflux)?
What causes GERD?
What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD?
What are the complications of GERD?
How is GERD diagnosed and evaluated?
How is GERD treated?
What is a reasonable approach to the management of GERD?
What are the unresolved issues in GERD?
GERD At A Glance
Related heartburn articles on WebMD:
Heartburn
GERD symptoms

Related gerd article on eMedicineHealth:
GERD - Reflux Disease


Heartburn Diagnosis
Medical Author: Jay W. Marks, M.D.

It happens about once a week. A patient arrives in the office, referred by his or her doctor for esophageal acid testing. The patient has had what he or she calls "heartburn" (the main symptom of acid reflux, or GERD, gastroesophageal reflux) for years and has been taking prescription medication for acid reflux once and sometimes twice a day. How much is the medication helping? Not a lot, maybe 25%. Nevertheless, the patient’s been faithful about taking the medicine for the last two years......at no small expense. I proceed with the testing. I put the tiny catheter down into the patient’s esophagus, attach it to the recorder, and begin measuring the acid that is refluxing (or backwashing) into the esophagus. The patient leaves the office and comes back the next day when I remove the catheter and calculate the amount of acid that is refluxing. There is none.

Why, then, is the patient having heartburn? In fact, he or she is not...

Read More »

Top Searched GERD and Heartburn Terms:
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What is GERD (acid reflux)?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus although this occurs in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains
The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage (esophagitis) is not as clear as the role of acid.

GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long. If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), this also is a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for GERD is begun, therefore, it usually will need to be continued indefinitely.

Actually, the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. In fact, one study found that reflux occurs as frequently in normal individuals as in patients with GERD. In patients with GERD, however, the refluxed liquid contains acid more often, and the acid remains in the esophagus longer.

As is often the case, the body has ways (mechanisms) to protect itself from the harmful effects of reflux and acid. For example, most reflux occurs during the day when individuals are upright. In the upright position, the refluxed liquid is more likely to flow back down into the stomach due to the effect of gravity. In addition, while individuals are awake, they repeatedly swallow, whether or not there is reflux. Each swallow carries any refluxed liquid back into the stomach. Finally, the salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva, which contains bicarbonate. With each swallow, bicarbonate-containing saliva travels down the esophagus. The bicarbonate neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus after gravity and swallowing have removed most of the liquid.

Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are important protective mechanisms for the esophagus, but they are effective only when individuals are in the upright position. At night while sleeping, gravity is not in effect, swallowing stops, and the secretion of saliva is reduced. Therefore, reflux that occurs at night is more likely to result in acid remaining in the esophagus longer and causing greater damage to the esophagus.

Certain conditions make a person susceptible to GERD. For example, GERD can be a serious problem during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (see below). At the same time, the growing fetus increases the pressure in the abdomen. Both of these effects would be expected to increase reflux. Also, patients with diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles (see below), such as scleroderma or mixed connective tissue diseases, are more prone to develop GERD.

Answer 6

See your primary health care provider before seeing a specialist if possible.

Answer 7

A gastreontologist

I'm one

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