Nearly everyone has experienced heartburn the sensation of burning discomfortin the chest often brought on by eating a large meal. In fact heartburn isthe most ... » 

Nearly everyone has experienced heartburn the sensation of burning discomfortin the chest often brought on by eating a large meal. In fact heartburn isthe most common gastroesophageal disorder in the United States more thanseven in ten adult Americans suffer from heartburn each month. Few peoplehowever realize that heartburn is really just one symptom of the disorderknown as acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD acondition in which stomach acid repeatedly washes up into the esophagus orremains in the esophagus too long.Most people experience GERD as a cluster of simple symptoms belching chestpain and indigestion. Others suffer painful or difficult swallowing asthmachronic cough and hoarseness symptoms that can indicate a more seriousdisorder or lead to such complications as bleeding esophageal stricture andesophageal cancer. Some people however experience no symptomsand they runan especially high risk of developing complications.Healing Heartburn seeks to educate people about GERDs symptoms and the rangeof available treatments and also to help people take charge of their lives bydoing something about their own acid reflux disease. Authors Dr. Lawrence J.Cheskin and Dr. Brian E. Lacy cover diagnostic tests a stepbystep approachto treatment the effectiveness of medications complications and how to avoidthem and special considerations for pregnant women and for children.Illustrations questionnaires patient vignettes answers to commonly askedquestions and a list of additional resources round out this comprehensivepatient guide. «