Heartburn Center
You avoid foods you love. You labor through painful, sleepless nights.
It's time to take control of your eating - and your life - with personalized care and medical expertise from the Heartburn Center.
GERD
GERD is a condition where stomach acid backs up into the lower esophagus two or more times a week. GERD usually begins as a burning pain that starts behind the breastbone and radiates upward to the neck. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) stops the flow of acid into the esophagus. When it is weak or relaxes inappropriately, GERD can occur. The symptoms of GERD include:
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Belching
- Bloating
- Hoarseness
- Chronic sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty sleeping or lying flat
Left untreated, chronic acid reflux can damage the esophagus and possibly lead to esophageal cancer. Many times lifestyle and dietary changes alone cannot prevent chronic heartburn. As many as 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month. About 25 million adults in the United States experience daily heartburn. The Heartburn Center offers heartburn sufferers personalized care for each patient.
Services
The Heartburn Center is staffed by board-certified gastroenterologists and nurses who are specially trained in chronic heartburn management. At the Heartburn Center, we are on the cutting edge of emerging diagnostic and treatment trends. You can rest easy, knowing the most thorough evaluations and treatments are at our command.
Upper Endoscopy
One of our staff gastroenterologists will use this procedure to evaluate the condition of the tissue in your esophagus and stomach. Using a slender scope, pictures and biopsies of these areas may be taken as necessary.
Medical Therapy
The array of medications for heartburn treatment is rapidly changing. Through continuing education, our staff gastroenterologists are highly knowledgeable in the proper use, dosing and effects of all medications and can help you make decisions on the medication's benefits versus its expense.
Esophageal Manometry
This procedure, which is performed by one of our trained nurses, measures pressures in the esophagus and provides information about its function.
24-Hour pH Impedance Study
This study involves recording actual acid and non-acid levels (pH) in the esophagus for 24 hours while you are at home and carrying out your daily activities. This information accurately establishes whether or not GERD is the cause of your symptoms.
96-Hour Bravo pH Study
This study involves recording actual acid levels (pH) in the esophagus for 96 hours while you are at home and carrying out your daily activities. The test is catheter-free (meaning no tube or wire remains in your nose or mouth) after placement of the capsule. Your doctor will analyze results from this test to determine what is causing your symptoms and the treatment to prescribe for you.
Incorporation of new therapies
To ensure you get the best care available, our staff constantly evaluates and incorporates new and emerging therapies and technologies, including endoscopic therapies. Our physicians participate in national clinical research studies and provide their expertise as a test site for leading edge therapies and technologies.
For more information
(662) 377-5792
1-877-825-0068
E-mail: scponders@nmhs.net
