Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

If you’re one of the 20% of Americans with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you can find help at Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. Upper endoscopy and other diagnostic services are available on-site to evaluate your esophageal health. Hussein Abidali, DO, and the medical team offer nonsurgical solutions to relieve GERD symptoms and can also perform surgery when necessary. Call the office in Rancho Cucamonga, California, to schedule a consultation for gastroesophageal reflux disease, or request an appointment online today. 

What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?

GERD is a condition that describes chronic acid reflux, a condition where acids from your stomach flow back into the esophagus.

Reflux develops when there’s weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that opens to let food and liquids pass and then closes to keep them down in your stomach. When the muscle can no longer close properly, you can develop GERD symptoms like:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Frequent belching
• Difficulties swallowing
• Sour taste in the mouth

GERD can affect both adults and children. Your risk for GERD may be higher if you smoke, are exposed to secondhand smoke, are pregnant, or have weight challenges.  

GERD can lead to severe esophageal tissue damage and increased risk factors for cancer if left untreated.

When should I seek medical care for gastroesophageal reflux disease?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc., if you have persistent GERD symptoms that you can’t treat with over-the-counter antacids within two weeks. You also need medical attention if your symptoms worsen, even with home care.

They visually examine your mouth and throat to confirm your symptoms relate to GERD and check for damage to your esophagus. They may also perform an upper endoscopy to closely examine your esophagus.

The medical team customizes a care plan to address the root cause of GERD so you can enjoy long-lasting symptom relief.

How is gastroesophageal reflux disease treated?

Your initial treatment plan for GERD may involve lifestyle and diet changes. The Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc. team may also recommend medications to neutralize stomach acids.

When these strategies aren’t enough, you may benefit from a transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure to repair the gastroesophageal valve without surgery. During TIF, your provider tightens the LES using fasteners they place using an endoscope. The endoscope goes through your mouth, so you won’t need surgical incisions.

If you’re not a candidate for TIF, you may need traditional surgery to tighten the LES and prevent stomach acids from flowing back up into your esophagus.

The medical team can also recommend strategies you can use to prevent GERD recurrence, such as avoiding spicy or acidic foods, eating smaller meals, and losing weight.

Call Hussein Abidali, DO Digestive Health Inc., to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease or request an appointment online today.