Are you suffering from heartburn or acid reflux

The Heartburn & Reflux Center at Sky Ridge Medical Center offers innovative treatments to reduce heartburn, acid reflux and other disorders affecting the gastro-esophageal area.

Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over. Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.

Symptoms

• A burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and may occur at night
• Pain that worsens when lying down or bending over
• Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate help if you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially when combined with other signs and symptoms such as pain in the arm or jaw or difficulty breathing. Chest pain may be a symptom of a heart attack.

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Heartburn occurs more than twice a week
• Symptoms persist despite use of over-the-counter medications
• You have difficulty swallowing
• You have persistent nausea or vomiting
• You have weight loss because of poor appetite or difficulty eating

Complications

• Heartburn that occurs frequently and interferes with your routine is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD treatment may require prescription medications and, occasionally, surgery or other procedures. GERD can seriously damage your esophagus or lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus called Barrett’s esophagus.

Our board-certified gastroenterologists and surgeons specialize in treating chronic GERD. This is a condition that results in acid reflux and heartburn when stomach acid is not properly contained and rises in the esophagus. GERD patients regularly experience heartburn, chest pain, indigestion, excessive throat clearing, hoarseness, chronic cough and/or asthma. Treatment and management for GERD or heartburn includes lifestyle changes, medications and, in more severe cases, surgery.

Treatments we offer for GERD

• Hiatal hernia repair (traditional and minimally invasive)
• LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation
• Several other minimally invasive techniques

We offer the Bravo pH Test

The Bravo Capsule Esophageal pH Test measures and records the level of acidity (pH) in one’s esophagus to determine the degree to which you have acid reflux over a 48-hour period. The Bravo device consists of a capsule about the size of a vitamin pill that attaches to the esophagus by suction and transmits information wirelessly to a pocket-sized receiver that you carry with you. Knowing if and when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus can help us better treat your symptoms.

Conditions we treat

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)/acid reflux disease
• Paraesophageal/hiatal hernias
• LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux)
• Recurrent reflux or hernia after surgery
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Achalasia