Acid Reflux
If you have heartburn or reflux twice a week or more, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn is the most common symptom, but you may also experience:
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Sleep disruption (inability to sleep lying down)
- Bloating
- Excessive clearing of the throat
- Persistent cough
- Burning in the mouth or throat
- Intolerance of certain foods
- Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation
Normally, after swallowing, a valve between the esophagus and stomach opens to allow food to pass and then closes to prevent stomach contents from "refluxing" back into the esophagus. For people who suffer from GERD, the valve is dysfunctional and unable to prevent acid from refluxing into the esophagus, thus a burning sensation in the chest.
Traditional Treatments
GERD today is typically treated with medications such as histamine receptor antagonists (H2 blockers) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). H2 blockers can lose their effectiveness over time but PPIs do not. Unfortunately, they don't treat the underlying root causes of reflux nor the deteriorated anatomy of the anti-reflux barrier, so long term medication therapy may be required. There is a lot of confusing information out there about the long term side effects of PPIs along with a lot of bad press when generally they are extremely well tolerated and safe as well as the most effective in treating reflux symptoms.
If dietary changes and medication do not effectively deal with your severe chronic acid reflux, we offer further solutions to help treat symptoms that may include considering surgical interventions that aim to recreate the natural barrier that stops fluids from the stomach refluxing back to the esophagus.