Common Causes of GERD

How your gastroenterologist in Arlington, and Southlake, TX, can help you get relief from GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, starts out as occasional acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn. The burning pain in your chest is caused by improper functioning of the sphincter muscle in your esophagus. When the sphincter muscle doesn’t close properly, stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, causing acid reflux. Chronic acid reflux eventually turns into GERD.

The gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology Practice Associates provide comprehensive gastroenterology services, including diagnosis and treatment of GERD. They have two convenient office locations in Arlington, and Southlake, TX, to help you.

GERD affects over 60 million people in this country, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. When you have GERD, you may notice signs and symptoms like these:

• Chronic throat pain
• A sour taste and bad breath
• Chronic coughing and wheezing
• Eroding tooth enamel
• Sensitive teeth
• Frequent chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting

When you have GERD, it’s important to implement some lifestyle changes to get relief. Remember to:

• Eat smaller meals
• Stop smoking and using other tobacco products
• Don’t eat before going to bed or lying down
• Avoid eating spicy or acidic foods
• Take over-the-counter antacids

Untreated GERD and the constant flow of stomach acid into your esophagus can cause serious problems, including:

• Esophageal inflammation, causing swelling of your esophagus and difficulty swallowing
• Esophageal ulcers, causing nausea, chest pain, and problems swallowing
• Esophageal narrowing and scarring, causing problems swallowing
• Esophageal cancer

Your gastroenterologist may recommend an endoscopy procedure to examine your esophagus for ulcerated and inflamed tissue. Your gastroenterologist may also recommend treatment for GERD which may include prescription-strength antacids and other medications, along with lifestyle and dietary modifications.

To learn more about the causes and treatment of GERD, talk with the experts. Call the gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology Practice Associates. You can reach them in both the Arlington, and Southlake, TX, offices by calling (817) 468-7200, so call today.