Reflux Relief Is Here for You
With the right treatment, you can live more comfortably and even overcome gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We’re here to help you get started.
At Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, our Heartburn and Reflux Center offers a variety of advanced diagnostic services, treatments and surgical options to help you move beyond your symptoms and get back to leading the life you love.
What to Know About GERD
The National Institutes of Health estimates that 15 million Americans experience GERD every day, making it the most diagnosed gastrointestinal-related condition. But that doesn’t mean GERD isn’t serious; it’s a progressive disorder that doesn’t go away on its own.
Reflux symptoms common with GERD may include:
- Chronic cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
GERD develops when the muscle that separates your esophagus from your stomach (which is supposed to act as a one-way valve) weakens, opening for limited amounts of time when you swallow. When it isn’t working properly, digestive juices and stomach contents can flow back into your esophagus, causing damage to your digestive system. Over time, it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.
Advanced Care for Heartburn and Reflux
Some people with heartburn and acid reflux find temporary relief with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. However, more advanced treatments may help you experience long-term relief. We’re here to care for you with a variety of advanced diagnostic services and surgical options to help you live more comfortably.
- Diagnostic Testing
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It’s normal to experience some heartburn on occasion. But if you experience frequent acid reflux, shortness of breath or chest pain, it could be a sign of something more serious. And we can help you treat it.
The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis, which requires a combination of tests that may include:
- 24-hour pH study: determines the presence of acid reflux
- BRAVO pH study: monitors the frequency and duration of gastric reflux during a typical day
- Esophageal manometry/esophageal motility study: evaluates the motor function of the esophagus before anti-reflux surgery
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD): diagnoses and treats problems in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)
- Outpatient GERD, Reflux and Heartburn Surgery
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Surgical procedures for GERD correct the anatomy of the esophagus and stomach to stop GERD. Our outpatient surgical procedures include:
- Fundoplication: a laparoscopic procedure used to reinforce the muscle between your stomach and esophagus, preventing further reflux and eliminating the need for medication
- LINX: a laparoscopic surgical technique in which a magnetic device is implanted in the muscle between your stomach and esophagus to restore its function
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF): a procedure that helps alleviate valve-related GERD symptoms
- Minimally Invasive Heartburn and Acid Reflux Therapies
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For patients who can’t have surgery, our non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments for GERD can help provide effective relief. These include:
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): medications that are available over the counter or by prescription to help suppress acid production and manage GERD symptoms
- Stretta therapy: an endoscopic (incisionless) procedure used to deliver radiofrequency energy to the muscle between the stomach and esophagus to help improve muscle function and reduce reflux symptoms
Our Nurse Navigators Are Here for You
While heartburn and acid reflux are common conditions, we know that experiencing them firsthand doesn’t feel normal at all. That’s why our Nurse Navigators are here to guide you. Available to work with you throughout evaluation, testing and treatment, these compassionate professionals will be at your side, making sure you understand your diagnosis and treatments.