What You Need To Know About Acid Reflux and GERD

Common GERD / Heartburn Treatment Options

Heartburn is a common and uncomfortable problem, also known as acid reflux. You can have occasional feelings of heartburn when you eat spicy or acidic foods. So, what can you do about it? Your gastroenterologist has some treatment options to help you get relief. The providers at Carson City Gastroenterology in Carson City, Nevada, provide a wide range of GI services, including treatment for acid reflux and GERD.

What You Need To Know About Acid Reflux and GERD

Heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. It’s a gastrointestinal problem caused by improper functioning of the sphincter muscle, which separates your esophagus from your stomach. When the sphincter muscle doesn’t close completely, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn.

Acid reflux symptoms can become more frequent, turning into a chronic condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

• Chronic, severe sore throats
• Dry coughing and wheezing
• Nausea, vomiting, or chest pain
• Tooth sensitivity

To help limit the signs and symptoms of heartburn and GERD, you can try a few simple diet and lifestyle modifications, like these:

• Eating small meals several times daily
• Avoiding eating a large meal before bed
• Quitting smoking or using tobacco products
• Avoiding or limiting eating spicy or acidic foods
• Taking over-the-counter antacid medications

If you are experiencing frequent moderate-to-severe signs and symptoms of GERD, you should seek out help from your gastroenterologist, who may recommend:

• Dietary and nutritional counseling
• Prescription-strength antacid medications
• Prescription-strength medications to strengthen the esophageal sphincter muscle
• Surgical treatment for severe GERD that doesn’t respond to medication therapy

GERD can become a serious condition, causing damage to your esophagus and even esophageal cancer. You can get relief from your gastroenterologist.

Want To Know More?

To find out more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of acid reflux and GERD, call the providers at Carson City Gastroenterology in Carson City, Nevada. You can reach them in the office by calling (775) 884-4567, so call today.