Make That Extra Spicy
After a new GERD treatment, Eric is ‘back to eating whatever I want’.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid and the contents of your stomach often flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to the stomach. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of the esophagus) opens when it shouldn’t.
It’s normal to experience this backward flow of stomach contents, called acid reflux, on occasion. However, if you experience acid reflux twice a week or more often, you may have GERD.
If you or your doctor thinks you may have GERD, we’re here to help. Our team of gastrointestinal specialists at Henry Ford Health has vast expertise in diagnosing and treating GERD. We offer many advanced treatment options to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
After a new GERD treatment, Eric is ‘back to eating whatever I want’.
A muscle at the end of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) normally opens to allow food to enter the stomach and closes to prevent food and stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. When the LES doesn’t work properly, it can allow stomach acid and partially digested food to reflux, or leak backward, into the esophagus.
GERD can develop when your LES relaxes or weakens. This can happen for several reasons, including:
The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn — a burning pain in your upper or middle chest that often develops or gets worse after eating. Other common GERD symptoms include:
It’s important to talk to your doctor if you think you may have GERD. Without proper treatment, GERD can lead to several serious complications, such as:
Your doctor may confirm a diagnosis of GERD based on your symptoms, especially if you have heartburn regularly. Other tests your doctor may recommend include:
We use the most advanced treatment options to relieve your symptoms, treat the causes of your LES problems and heal damage to your esophagus as a result of GERD. You and your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on your unique needs and concerns. Your treatment plan may include:
You’ll work with our registered dietitians and other specialists, who can give you expert guidance on making changes to reduce and manage your symptoms. The lifestyle changes we may recommend include:
There are several medications that can relieve your GERD symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe:
If lifestyle changes and medications don’t do enough to control your symptoms, or if you can’t take medications for a long time, surgery may be your best treatment option.
One surgery we offer is Nissen fundoplication, in which your surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This helps lower the risk of stomach acid backing up into your esophagus.
Another surgical option we provide is called LINX device surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon will implant a small band of titanium beads around your lower esophagus. This helps reinforce the LES and prevents stomach acid from traveling backward into the stomach. Learn about one patient’s success with LINX device surgery.
It’s natural to have questions if you have GERD or you think you may be at risk. Find answers to common questions about GERD.
Let us help you schedule an appointment, call (800) 436-7936.
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