Germantown Primary HealthCare is comprised of a patient-centered team of trained staff who provide high-quality heartburn treatment in Germantown. Our gastroenterologist in Germantown educates patients about their disease and discusses available treatment options. With the aid of advanced technology, we can test esophageal function, measure stomach acid levels, and check for pre-cancerous conditions. Together we can develop a specialized treatment plan for your unique needs.
Heartburn and acid reflux are the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For many patients, the symptoms are mild, but for others, GERD is a chronic problem with long-term implications.
If you have difficulty with swallowing, regurgitation, heartburn, or hoarseness and a cough, GERD can rob you of your quality of life. Heartburn and acid reflux in Germantown affect sleep, work productivity, eating habits, and just makes life miserable.
Some patients modify their diets; others rely on antacids for relief. Many people have prescribed medications. Without treatment, an esophagus continuously exposed to stomach acids can eventually become permanently damaged.
Acid reflux is when the stomach fluids push up into the esophagus. This condition results from a faulty sphincter, the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus. Stomach juices consist of enzymes, acid, and bile. Of all the chemicals in the stomach that reflux, the acid causes the most irritation and damage.
There are two types of acid reflux symptoms:
Medicines that reduce stomach acid do not usually focus on reflux. When a malfunctioning value is responsible for acid reflux, symptoms improved when acid is removed from the stomach fluids. Effective medications include H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Antacids may also offer some relief. This type of acid reflux treatment in Germantown is often required for life. In addition, there are a few problematic side effects with these medicines. Some of these drugs are thought to increase the chance of developing heart disease, pneumonia, hip fractures, kidney disease, and possibly dementia.
Some patients with severe, chronic symptoms may require more than medication. This is especially true for those who have been on acid-reducing medicines for six or more months without significant improvement. Minimally invasive procedures are available through Germantown Primary HealthCare. These procedures are performed by our gastroenterologist in Germantown to eliminate or reduce acid reflux and restore the function of the damaged esophagus.
