Acid Reflux

Acid Reflux services offered in Denton, TX

When occasional acid reflux turns into regular bouts with heartburn attacks, or your symptoms don't feel better with over-the-counter medications, it's time to seek help from Abhinandan Raj, MD, at Denton Digestive Institute PLLC. Dr. Raj provides individualized care for acid reflux, helping you prevent the potentially serious complications of its more severe relative, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you need help with reflux, call the office in Denton, Texas, or book an appointment online today.

Acid Reflux Q & A

What causes acid reflux?

Acid reflux develops when contents from your stomach go back up into the esophagus, the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. This problem occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), fails to work properly.

The LES opens to let food, beverages, and other things like medications enter your stomach. Then it closes to keep everything inside. If the LES weakens, it allows stomach contents, including strong acids, to reflux into the esophagus.

Acid reflux often flares up after eating certain foods and beverages. Excess pressure on your stomach due to a tight belt, eating a big meal, or obesity can also force contents out of the stomach.

What is the difference between acid reflux and GERD?

Nearly everyone occasionally has acid reflux. However, acid reflux usually improves with over-the-counter antacids or happens infrequently.

If you have mild reflux twice a week or moderate to severe reflux once weekly, then you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). With GERD, your esophagus suffers more frequent exposure to damaging stomach acid.

Without treatment, GERD causes esophageal problems like:

Inflammation
Scarring
Esophageal narrowing
Barrett's esophagus

Barrett's esophagus occurs when cells in the lower esophagus change. These changes increase your risk of developing a rare cancer.

What symptoms occur due to acid reflux?

Acid reflux (and GERD) cause symptoms such as:

Heartburn (burning chest pain)
Hoarseness
Bloating
Sore throat
Dry cough
Dental erosion
Difficulty swallowing
Regurgitation
Bitter taste in your mouth

You may also feel like something is stuck in your throat.

How is acid reflux treated?

Dr. Raj develops a treatment plan based on the severity of your acid reflux and the factors that may contribute to your problem. Your care plan may include:

Lifestyle changes

Dietary and lifestyle changes often improve acid reflux. For example, you may need to avoid foods that trigger reflux, such as fried and spicy foods. It also helps to lose weight if needed, elevate the head of your bed, and wear loose clothes.

Medications

Dr. Raj may recommend prescription-strength medications to neutralize stomach acid or reduce or stop stomach acid production.

Minimally invasive surgery

If lifestyle changes and medications don't help, Dr. Raj may recommend one of several minimally invasive procedures that tighten the LES.

If you have frequent or severe acid reflux, call Denton Digestive Institute PLLC, or book an appointment online today.