Mild to moderate heartburn usually is not a concern. If the self-care measures listed below relieve your occasional heartburn symptoms, great! If your heartburn continues, or happens more frequently, or if the heartburn becomes severe, problems such as swallowing difficulties, bleeding, or weight loss can develop, you may have GERD and should consult a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis. With GERD, a persistent inflammation of the lining of the esophagus occurs. GERD can lead to other health problems. Persistent heartburn symptoms can be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as severe inflammation of the esophagus or a tumor. It is important to be evaluated by your health professional if heartburn occurs more frequently and home treatment does not relieve the discomfort.