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
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Stroke