By Billie Jo Grieve, MD, General Surgery

Have you noticed that eating some foods or eating too late at night causes heartburn? Has it increased in severity and returns frequently? You may have chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The good news is that treatment options range from simple lifestyle changes to surgery.

What is GERD?

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between your esophagus and your stomach is a ring of muscle. The LES acts like a shut-off valve between your stomach, where stomach acid belongs, and your esophagus, where it does not. When the LES doesn’t work correctly—becoming weak or relaxing when it shouldn’t—painful stomach acid can back up into the esophagus.

One potential cause for GERD is a hiatal hernia, which could cause stomach acid to move into the esophagus. In addition to causing pain and discomfort, the stomach acid from chronic (ongoing) GERD can cause scarring or ulceration of the esophagus and even the throat.

In addition to pain, other GERD symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Bad breath or trouble breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Wearing down of tooth enamel

Simple Steps to Ease Heartburn

Lifestyle changes can often reduce how often heartburn happens and how intense it feels. A few to start with:

• Avoid eating for at least two hours before bedtime or a nap.
• Raise the head of your bed. Extra pillows alone aren’t as effective.
• Limit alcohol and foods that trigger your symptoms.

Dr. Grieve works with patients to try non-surgical options first. See more ways to manage acid reflux.

When to Consider Surgery

If lifestyle changes and medication don’t relieve your symptoms, surgery may be an option. Dr. Grieve performs Nissen fundoplication, a minimally invasive procedure that strengthens the valve between the stomach and esophagus to keep acid where it belongs.

Learn more about GERD treatment and surgery at Glacial Ridge, or call 320.634.5157 to schedule an appointment.