The 3 Most Common Symptoms Of Acid Reflux

We’re all familiar with acid reflux. It’s one of the most on-the-rise ailments in the United States, with approximately 1 in 5 Americans experiencing weekly symptoms and over 60 million Americans experiencing symptoms at least once a month. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid splashes back up into the esophagus. It can be caused by situational occurrences (such as eating a very large meal) or as the result of a weakened lower esophageal sphincter.

Whether your reflux is occasional or frequent, there’s no denying that it’s incredibly uncomfortable. Acid reflux can present with a number of different symptoms, but the three most common signs of acid reflux are heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia.

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Understanding Barrett's Esophagus

You may have heard someone refer to “Barrett’s Esophagus” at some point in your life, but believe it or not they weren’t talking about their cousin’s internal physiology. Barrett’s Esophagus is actually a medical condition. It’s a serious complication of GERD that can result in patients, causing the normal tissue lining of their esophagus to change to tissue that resembles the lining of the intestine.

Although having GERD makes you a candidate for Barrett’s esophagus, it only occurs in a small number of patients. Approximately 10% of people who suffer from chronic symptoms of GERD will develop Barrett’s esophagus over their lifetime.

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Understanding Achalasia: Definition, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

At this point, most of us are familiar with GERD, a condition in which acid splashes back up from the stomach into the esophagus, resulting in frequent reflux. GERD is caused by a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, the valve between your stomach and esophagus. When the valve isn’t tight enough, it allows acid and food to travel back up.

Most surgeries used to combat GERD involve tightening the LES, but it’s all about finding the right balance. Tighten it too much, and you’ll find yourself dealing with the disorder on the other end of the spectrum: achalasia.

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5 Ways Getting Anti-Reflux Surgery Will Change Your Life In 2017

There are many different ways to treat GERD, but anti-reflux surgery is by far the best way to efficiently relieve symptoms long-term because it’s the only method that actually treats the root cause of your GERD. Surgery is a scary word, but the anti-reflux surgeries we perform at Tampa Bay Reflux Center are minimally invasive, and the positive impacts they’ll have on your overall health and quality of life are well worth it.  Getting anti-reflux surgery will change your life in a number of ways, but here are five key areas of your life where you’ll see the impacts:

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