Most people suffer from heartburn occasionally, usually after a meal, with millions experiencing heartburn at least once a month. When heartburn occurs frequently, however, or becomes severe, you should consult your doctor.
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Your heartburn presists or becomes more severe.
- Your heartburn isn't relieved by medication.
- Your heartburn interfers with your ability to fall asleep or it wakes you at night.
- Your discomfort interferes with your lifestyle or daily activities
- You have difficulty swallowing or have pain when swallowing.
- You have the sensation of food caught in your chest or throat.
- Pain in the neck, chest or back.
- Your heartburn is causing you to vomit.
- You vomit blood or have black stools (from digested blood).
- You have excessive saliva.
- You've experienced a drastic weight loss.
- You have persistent hoarseness or sore throat.
- You have episodes of choking, coughing or wheezing.
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Updated: 02/13/2006
