Acid Reflux North Carolina

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If you are experiencing painful symptoms of GERD and severe acid reflux, Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina can help. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux disease, is a common condition that causes pain and irritation. The American College of Gastroenterology estimates that over 60 million Americans experience the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux at least once a month, and approximately 15 million experience symptoms daily.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach. The acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and North Carolina patients experience it at different frequencies. If a person has acid reflux symptoms more than twice per week, he or she may have GERD.

Acid Reflux Disease Risk Factors and Causes

When we eat, acid gathers in our stomach to aid in digestion. This includes irritating acids, including hydrochloric acid, which break down food easily. There is a muscle valve known as the gastroesophageal sphincter that usually keeps the stomach contents from traveling into the esophagus. Sometimes, this valve can fail and acid can flow from the stomach into the esophagus and throat. This sensation is acid reflux.

Many peoples experience acid reflux in North Carolina, but certain conditions can exacerbate the presence of the disease. These risk factors include:

• Obesity or being overweight
• Pregnancy
• Smoking cigarettes
• Eating large meals
• Lying down after a meal
• Eating close to bedtime
• Drinking lots of alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, or tea
• Eating lots of spicy or fatty foods, tomatoes, chocolate, garlic, onions, mint, or citrus
• Taking ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, aspirin, or medication for blood pressure

Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

The most common symptoms include the regurgitation of a sour acid into the throat or mouth, and heartburn. The latter symptom is discomfort in the stomach, abdomen, chest, and throat. Additional symptoms of moderate to severe acid reflux disease include:

• Unintentional weight loss
• Chronic sore throat
• Nausea
• Long bouts of hiccups
• Dysphagia, or narrowing of the esophagus
• Burping
• Bloating
• Bloody or black bowel movements
• Blood in the vomit
• Wheezing, hoarseness, and dry coughs
• Laryngitis
• Bad breath
• Dental erosion

How Do Doctors Treat Acid Reflux Disease?

Lifestyle changes and medical intervention can work in tandem to treat acid reflux disease for North Carolina patients. Medication options include PPIs and H2 blockers to decrease stomach acid production, or over-the-counter drugs such as antacids. However, many causes of acid reflux are lifestyle-related. 

Lifestyle changes that can reduce acid reflux disease include:

• Quitting smoking
• Losing weight
• Wearing loose clothing to decrease pressure on the abdomen
• Scheduling mealtimes away from bedtime or rest times
• Avoiding tight belts
• Avoiding sit-up exercises
• Improving posture

Potential Acid Reflux Disease Complications

Any North Carolina resident who believes that he or she has acid reflux disease should seek medical attention immediately. Untreated acid reflux disease can lead to dangerous complications, such as: 

• Strictures. When stomach acid rises in the throat, it can cause scarring and irritation in the throat. This can lead to significant damage, including difficulty eating and swallowing.

• Esophagitis. Stomach acid can lead to inflammation of the esophagus, causing irritation, ulcers, and bleeding.

• Barrett’s esophagitis. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause damage to the cells in the esophagus. These changes can cause the cells in the esophagus to change, leading to the development of cancer cells.

Acid reflux disease can be extremely dangerous if left untreated, as both esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagitis can increase the risk of cancer.

Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates Today

Are you experiencing painful symptoms of acid reflux in North Carolina? Help is available. Contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates at (704) 324-8776 to find a doctor near you and receive treatment today.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 324-8776 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.