GERD
in Denver

Common GERD symptoms in adults include heartburn, chest discomfort, burning in the chest or throat, a bad taste in the mouth and sometimes nausea and difficulty or painful swallowing. If your GERD symptoms continue after taking over-the-counter medication, medical intervention is needed. Schedule an appointment with a South Denver GI provider today.

There are certain foods that can make GERD symptoms worse, including alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, citrus fruits and juices, chocolate, tomatoes, garlic, mint, spicy foods, fried foods and fatty foods.

Yes, some people can experience GERD symptoms on a daily basis and for long periods of time.

The symptoms of GERD include heartburn which can cause lower back pain.

It is possible for stress to worsen GERD. Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach.

Nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief from heartburn symptoms.

It has been found that sleeping on your left side can reduce acid reflux. You may also sleep with your upper body elevated. Sleeping on your back is the worst position for GERD, as it makes reflux more likely. Also it is best not to eat within three hours of going to bed.

Yes sometimes, but there are many other causes of chest pain and you should first be evaluated by your primary care provider.

Barretts esophagus is a GERD-related condition that develops in some adults with chronic reflux. It is a potentially precancerous condition that requires endoscopic surveillance. To advance Barretts esophagus treatment, South Denver GI was the first GI practice in Denver to add WATS3D to esophageal biopsies. This technology cells identifies precancerous cells at earlier stages, enabling treatment or removal long before the cells can turn into esophageal cancer.

Sometimes GERD can cause a coughing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, painful throat, or a lump in the throat feeling.

Yes, some patients do not feel GERD symptoms, but may develop inflammation or esophagitis, and sometimes other complications such as strictures, with trouble swallowing or Barretts esophagus.

If you have persistent GERD symptoms, or worrisome alarm symptoms such as trouble swallowing, painful swallowing, weight loss, anemia or black stools, you should seek evaluation and care with a South Denver GI provider.

GERD can be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes, over the counter antacids and acid reducing medications. If your GERD is persistent or worsening, or if you have alarming symptoms, you should seek care with a South Denver GI provider.

Yes, GERD can be cured. The most common treatment for GERD is medication, which can help to decrease the amount of acid in your stomach.

GERD pain often is described as chest pain that mimics a heart attack. It can be described as a squeezing pressure behind the breast bone and can last for hours.

Common symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, the feeling of food being caught in your throat, coughing, chest pain, vomiting, sore throat, and hoarseness.

Surgery to tighten the LES valve and repair any hernia that is present can cure GERD.

Healing of the esophagus may occur within 6-8 weeks.

Prescription-strength GERD treatments include proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix and more.

GERD is usually a chronic, usually lifelong disease that often relapses once treatment is stopped. South Denver GI provides expert diagnostic and medical treatment for GERD.

Bananas are a low-acid fruit that can help neutralize the stomach acid by coating an irritated esophageal lining.

A gastroenterologist who specializes in treating the disorders and diseases that affect the digestive system which includes the GI tract, pancreas, liver, bile ducts and gallbladder, or a doctor specializing in internal medicine can treat acid reflux.

If your acid reflux persists during or after an 8 week trial of a prescription or over the counter medicine such as Prevacid or Nexium, you should schedule an appointment with a GI provider.

The following factors can make you at more at risk of esophageal cancer: smoking, alcohol consumption, diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, obesity or injury to the esophagus like a chemical burn. Patients over the age of 55 are also more at risk. In addition, chronic GERD that progresses to Barrett’s esophagus is associated with increased risk for esophageal cancer.

If you have chronic GERD symptoms, you should consider testing for Barrett’s esophagus. Men with a family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer are especially at risk for this condition.

To test for GERD, an upper endoscopy, ambulatory acid probe test, or X-ray are commonly recommended. During an upper endoscopy, your doctor will insert a thin tube with a light and camera down your throat so that they can see into your esophagus and stomach. An ambulatory acid probe test can be performed similarly with a monitor placed in your esophagus to track when and how long stomach acid is present.

South Denver GI offers many non-invasive and non-surgical options that can effectively treat GERD. Surgery is an option if these less invasive measures are ineffective, but we recommend first trying medical management

Surgery for GERD can reduce the occurrence of acid reflux But like any surgery, there are some risks of complications such as a reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding and injury to the esophagus or stomach. Chronic side effects may occur as well Some patients may need a second surgery if acid reflux comes back, meaning this more invasive approach is not always a permanent one.