Are You Suffering? You're Not Alone.

If you're like a lot of people, you may be suffering persistently from heartburn and other symptoms on two or more days a week even if you're taking medicine.

And, like many people, you might be blaming yourself. Maybe you think it's because you ate a favorite food or played an extra round of golf. Well, let's get one thing straight right from the start...

It may not be your fault!

If you're suffering from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, you may have a real medical problem called acid reflux disease (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), which you should discuss with your health care professional. Although some foods or activities may make symptoms worse, they are not the cause of acid reflux disease.

So, if you make some changes in diet or lifestyle, there is a chance you might feel better, but most of the time you won't — because these types of changes don't affect the real cause of the problem. You may even be taking heartburn medicine but still may not be getting all the relief you could. For some people, acid reflux disease can have potentially serious consequences, so it's important to make sure you're getting the treatment regimen that's right for you.