Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

After years of dealing with heartburn and acid reflux, you may have learned to live with your symptoms by simply avoiding the foods that trigger your discomfort. It's a good strategy, but if you've experienced symptoms for a long time, it may be a sign that you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — which, if left untreated can lead to more serious complications.

At AdventHealth Tampa, formerly Florida Hospital Tampa, our Gastroenterology Center is committed to answering your questions, diagnosing your condition, and finding solutions, starting with tests and screenings that may include:

• Bernstein Tests
• Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE) to Detect Blood or Blockage
• Esophageal Manometry
• pH Monitoring
• Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series
• Upper Endoscopies (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy)
• Stool Samples

You want to feel better as soon as possible. We want that for you, too. We’ll be proactive in your care, working hard to prevent future issues and guide you to the relief and comfort you deserve.

Your esophagus is the pipeline to your stomach. At the bottom of this tube is a small muscle that opens to let food into the stomach, then closes to keep it there. When this muscle relaxes, acid from your stomach might flow up into your esophagus, leading to irritation, inflammation, and pain. Called acid reflux, this can be caused by things like smoking, specific foods, overeating, and obesity. Prolonged acid reflux can lead to different types of GERD, including:

• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Heartburn
• Infant GERD
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease
• Pediatric GERD

You are not alone in your experience with GERD. In fact, more than three million Americans are diagnosed with GERD every year. Like many have before you, you can trust the experts at AdventHealth Tampa to answer your questions, help ease your discomfort, and support you through the heartburn and acid reflux treatment process.

More than likely, your heartburn and acid reflux treatment might require only a few small lifestyle changes. Our dedicated nutritionists will help you gently adapt your diet to reduce or eliminate foods that usually trigger the disease, like coffee, alcohol, fatty and fried foods, chocolate, and citrus. Depending on your symptoms, medical history, and personal preference, we may offer other solutions, including:

• Eating Smaller Portions
• Monitoring Medications
• Not Lying Down After Eating
• Quitting Smoking
• Raising the Head of Your Bed
• Taking Antacids

In certain instances, your condition may require a bit more care. If medicine and dietary changes don’t seem to work for you, we may suggest a minimally invasive procedure that prevents acid reflux by securing the esophagus in place. Whatever GERD treatment we prescribe, trust that we'll be with you throughout, providing the care you need to live with more comfort and joy.