Gastroesophageal reflux disease—or GERD—is a condition that occurs when a weakened lower esophageal sphincter allows stomach acid to regularly back up into a person’s esophagus, causing uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with his or her quality of life. GERD symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, sore throats, acid reflux and more. If left untreated, GERD symptoms can transform from uncomfortable irritations to serious complications. Below are some risks associated with leaving your GERD untreated.
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PPIs include such brand names as Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Nexium, and they are used very frequently because they are generally effective and most patients don’t experience side effects. Short-term side effects of PPIs can include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal discomfort.
However, as with most medications, even if the patient does not experience any short-term side effects, there can be side effects that occur with long-term use of the drug. These long-term side effects may be serious, and recent research has looked more closely at the dangers of PPIs that can accompany chronic usage of this class of drugs.
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A big part of both diagnosing and treating your reflux is understanding your symptoms. Heartburn journals help identify the foods and bad habits that trigger your heartburn, in addition to telling your doctor more about whether you have a chronic condition. There are many benefits to keeping a heartburn journal, but here are five reasons why we recommend it to patients:
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There are a number of different tests used to diagnose GERD, all of which we perform here at Tampa Bay Reflux Center. Which tests we use is based off each patient’s individual case and the severity of their symptoms, chances are that if GERD is suspected, however, you’ll be scheduled for at least one of the following procedures:
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