What may increase your risk for problems from heartburn?
Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere
with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more
serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to
tell your doctor.
Conditions
Being older than 50
History of a
problem with your esophagus, such as:
Enlarged veins in the esophagus (esophageal
varices)
Barrett's esophagus
Narrowing of the esophagus
(esophageal stricture)
Abnormal passage of foods through the
esophagus into the stomach (motility disorders)
Esophageal tear
(Mallory-Weiss syndrome)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
Hiatal hernia
Peptic ulcer disease, especially
if it is caused by an infection with Helicobacter pylori
(H. pylori) bacteria
A problem or condition that has been present
since birth (congenital defect)
Lifestyle choices
Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Being
overweight
Drug abuse or withdrawal
Smoking or other
tobacco use
Medicines
Antianxiety medicines, such as diazepam (for example, Valium) or
lorazepam (for example, Ativan)
Antibiotics, such as
tetracycline
Anticholinergics, such as dicyclomine hydrochloride
(for example, Antispas) or glycopyrrolate (for example, Robinul)
Antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton
Heart
medications, such as propranolol (for example, Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin),
diltiazem (for example, Cardizem), digoxin (for example, Lanoxin), or
nifedipine (for example, Procardia)
Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate (Fosamax)
Medicines used to treat cancer
(chemotherapy)
Narcotics, such as Demerol
Nitrates,
such as isosorbide dinitrate (for example, Sorbitrate) or nitroglycerin
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Potassium or iron
supplements
Radiation therapy
Steroids, such as
prednisone
Theophylline medicines for asthma or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD)
Vitamin C
Diseases
Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or idiopathic
thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
Cancer
Diabetes
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Kidney
disease
Liver disease
Malnutrition or an eating
disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
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