We asked gastroenterologists every mortifying question we could think of. Here’s straight talk on constipation, heartburn and gas.
Flatulence, constipation and diarrhea can be embarrassing. But you don’t need to be shy about discussing them with a gastroenterologist, a doctor who treats conditions of the digestive system.
“We’ve heard it all,” said Sophie Balzora, a gastroenterologist and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health. “And we want to normalize talking about it.”
So I took her advice and plunged in, asking her and other experts what they want you to know about your gut.
Acid reflux and heartburn are not the same thing.
People often use the terms “acid reflux” and “heartburn” interchangeably, but it’s important not to mix them up, said Christine Lee, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic.
Acid reflux, which affects nearly a third of U.S. adults weekly, is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Sometimes it progresses to a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Heartburn, on the other hand, is a symptom, not a condition. A burning pain in the chest can be caused by acid reflux or GERD. It can also be a sign of other problems, including heart trouble or a peptic ulcer, so it’s worth visiting a doctor if you have persistent heartburn, Dr. Lee said.