In the 'Symptoms - Abdominal Pain' section of our in-depth questionnaire we ask the following question about heartburn:
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Have you suffered from heartburn (burning at top of stomach) or gastric reflux?
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Your answer |
...indicates |
...and suggests |
| 1. |
"Don't know" |
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| 2. |
"No" |
Absence of heartburn |
A symptom |
| 3. |
"Past episode(s) now resolved" |
History of heartburn |
A symptom |
| 4. |
"Current minor problem" |
Confirmed heartburn |
A symptom |
| 5. |
"Current major problem" |
Confirmed heartburn |
A symptom |
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Your answer will affect the likelihoods of the conditions below.
Any answers in green reduce the likelihood of the condition.
GLOSSARY
Gastric Reflux Disease (Gastric Reflux, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, GERD)
A common relapsing condition affecting approximately 10% of the U.S. population and caused by an abnormal exposure of the lower esophagus to refluxed gastric contents, causing irritation and injury to the esophageal tissues. GERD develops as a result of relaxations of the transient lower esophageal sphincter. Typical presenting symptoms are heartburn, an epigastric burning sensation and acid regurgitation. However, some patients may present with atypical symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Last updated: May 10, 2007
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