Acid Reflux Specialist

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid goes back up the esophagus — the tube that carries food and water from your mouth to your stomach. 

Many things can make your acid reflux worse, including:

• Age
• Smoking
• Overeating
• Fried or fatty foods
• Acidic foods and beverages
• Medication overuse

Being overweight or pregnant also increases your chances of experiencing acid reflux.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

When stomach acid enters your esophagus, you experience heartburn — the burning in your chest that moves up the neck and throat. This sensation may get worse in the evenings or when you’re lying down. 

You may also get an aftertaste of food you’ve just eaten or the bitter and sour taste of acid. Some patients also have trouble swallowing and complain of a lump in their throat.

Patients who experience acid reflux at night may also have symptoms like:

• Chronic cough
• Laryngitis
• Asthma
• Disturbed sleep

If your acid reflux is getting more severe or more frequent, and if it isn’t responding to over-the-counter remedies, make an appointment at Katy Internists.

How do you treat acid reflux?

Depending on the severity of your condition, the team at Katy Internists works to reduce your symptoms and lessen inflammation in your esophagus. Your treatment also prevents relapse in order to stop the issue from causing further complications.

If you have mild acid reflux, the team may suggest lifestyle changes to help get your symptoms under control. These include avoiding trigger foods, stopping smoking, losing weight, and over-the-counter medication to neutralize your stomach acid.

If your condition isn’t responding to lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medication, your practitioner at Katy Internists may prescribe something stronger. Prescription drugs to treat acid reflux include H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), both of which help to reduce the flow of stomach acid to promote the healing process of your irritated esophagus.

If your condition is severe, or if you start developing symptoms like bleeding, your practitioner may suggest surgical options to improve the barrier between your stomach and esophagus to prevent acid from going the wrong way.

If you’re experiencing painful heartburn symptoms that are interfering with your sleep and day to day life, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to learn more about the various treatments at Katy Internists that can help.