Heartburn Clinic
Western Wisconsin Health offers the latest treatment options for heartburn and chronic acid reflux disease. Frequent or constant heartburn is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a disease in which stomach acid (or occasionally bile) flows back (refluxes) into the esophagus. Mild heartburn discomfort can often be managed with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications, but if the heartburn is more severe, additional care may be needed to achieve more permanent or long-term relief.
If you are experiencing any of the following heartburn-related symptoms on a daily basis, you should seek medical attention:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain or burning in your chest or throat
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
Conditions We See
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Diverticulosis
- Diverticulitis
- Heartburn
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal spasm
- Hiatal hernia
- Inguinal hernia
- Gallstones
- Gastric cancer
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Peptic ulcer disease
Procedures We Perform
- Nissen fundoplication (or lap nissen) procedure
- Treatment for weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
- pH monitoring
- Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series
- Endoscopic evaluation
- Contrast and floristic diagnostic studies
- Intestinal transit study
Understanding GERD
Imagine getting rid of your acid reflux, protecting your health, and improving your quality of life.
Understanding GERD
The lower esophageal sphincter acts as a barrier to the reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. By opening, it allows food and liquid to enter your stomach when you swallow. The sphincter should close after the food has passed, but this process is flawed in patients with GERD, causing heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and other problems. Over time, damage from stomach acid can even lead to changes in the esophageal lining that are associated with a higher-than-average risk for developing esophageal cancer.
Medications used to manage GERD decrease stomach acid production and usually eliminate symptoms of heartburn. However, they do not stop reflux from occurring, and long-term use can occasionally lead to serious health problems.
“Often when I meet patients for the first time, they don’t know that there are other options beyond medication,” says Dr. Dahlberg.
According to Dr. Singh, the first steps toward relief are simple. “We try all the conservative measures first – diet, lifestyle modifications, and medication. If reflux symptoms persist, patients are screened with an endoscopy to gauge the severity of the reflux, the presence of a hiatal hernia, and any other associated stomach or esophageal conditions. Patients who are considering surgical treatments undergo pH testing and manometry to determine if they are a candidate for surgery.”
New Beginnings
With reflux problems resolved, patients are surprised how much more enjoyable life can be. “Some of my happiest patients are those who no longer have to worry about reflux or regurgitation and can once again savor their meals,” says Dr. Dahlberg.