About 15 million people experience acid reflux every day, and 60 million experience the uncomfortable issue at least once monthly. At Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, in Florence, Massachusetts, the experienced team of board-certified gastroenterologists uses evidence-based strategies to effectively diagnose and treat acid reflux and GERD. Call the office to get help for acid reflux now.
Acid reflux is a backwash of digestive acids from your stomach. Normally, the ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus opens to let food into the stomach and then closes tightly to prevent the food and digestive acids from coming back up into your throat.
When you have acid reflux, the ring of muscle doesn’t close tightly enough. The gastric acid backwash (reflux) irritates the lining of your esophagus, causing discomfort and other symptoms.
About 60 million adults have acid reflux at least once a month. Acid reflux can worsen and increase in frequency. Regular or frequent acid reflux is a serious medical condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Some people with acid reflux or GERD develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition in which your esophageal lining grows red, thickened, and rough due to constant acid irritation. Barrett’s esophagus increases your risk of a specific type of esophageal cancer.
Acid reflux and GERD occur more frequently in people who:
Other factors can also cause or contribute to acid reflux and GERD as well. Certain conditions, including connective tissue disorders and hiatal hernias, can also lead to acid reflux or GERD. In addition, some medications may trigger these conditions.
Acid reflux and GERD can cause many uncomfortable issues, including:
Acid reflux symptoms are often worse after eating. With GERD, you could have symptoms almost every time you eat.
The Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates, LLC team uses the newest diagnostic tools to diagnose acid reflux and GERD. You may need tests such as endoscopy, ambulatory acid (pH) testing, and esophageal manometry to verify your condition and plan appropriate treatment.
The Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates, LLC team recommends personalized treatment plans for acid reflux and GERD. Common recommendations include:
Some people need medication like beta-blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid and ease symptoms. In severe cases of GERD, you may need surgery to tighten the muscle that controls reflux.
Hampshire Gastroenterology Associates, LLC uses effective strategies to treat acid reflux, so call the office to get help now.