Imagine if the bitter taste in the back of your throat went away, or managing your irritated throat, or decreasing your constant throat clearing…
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that allows acid and digestive enzymes from your stomach to come up via the esophagus into your throat, causing significant irritation, cough, and discomfort. We can help you manage GERD, heartburn, and reflux.
Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus and perhaps to the throat.
In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes.
Depending on what triggers your symptoms, changes in your diet or lifestyle may be recommended to help alleviate your symptoms.
GERD is diagnosed by carefully listening to you about your symptoms, examining your throat and voice box, at times with a flexible fiberoptic scope, and possibly performing a pH test with a special probe.
GERD is managed through diet, lifestyle changes, and medications such as PPI’s and H2 blockers. Dr. Holmes and his staff will design a program specific to your needs.
