Acid reflux is a disease manifested by a burning sensation in your chest called heartburn. When this sensation happens more than twice a week you may be suffering from acid reflux disease that is also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you are having acid reflux in Encino, CA, our qualified physicians Dr. Mordo Suchov and Dr. Alan Naim of Gastroenterology Associates of Southern California, are ready to help you.
What are the symptoms?
The stomach is separated from the esophagus by a sphincter called the lower esophageal sphincter. In healthy individuals, this sphincter closes immediately after the food passes to the stomach, but in some cases, the sphincter might not work properly, which allows the gastric content to go back into the upper gastrointestinal tract, causing one or more of the following symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Acidic or better taste in the back of your mouth
- Food or liquid regurgitation
What are some possible causes?
Hiatal hernia, which is a stomach abnormality, is the most common cause of acid reflux. Obesity, pregnancy, bedtime meals, spicy and fatty foods, smoking, and some medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, may also increase the risk of having the disease.
What are the treatment options?
Dr. Suchov and Dr. Naim will provide the best treatment for your acid reflux at our office in Encino, CA. Our physicians will recommend some lifestyle modifications besides drug therapy. Lifestyle modifications have a good impact on controlling the disease.
These modifications may include the followings:
- Avoiding fatty and spicy food
- Reducing tea, coffee, and alcohol consumption
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss
- Avoiding eating at bedtime
Medications are commonly prescribed by physicians because they are very effective in treating heartburn and improving the symptoms. Although medications and lifestyle modifications are enough most of the time, some cases might be severe and unresponsive to the treatment, making surgical intervention the only possible solution.
Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Suchov and Dr. Naim of Gastroenterology Associates of Southern California to get the best treatment for your acid reflux in Encino, CA. Call us at (818) 905-1567 and book your appointment now.