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Piedmont Newnan

745 Poplar Road
Newnan, GA 30265

770-400-1000

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Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan

Twenty to forty percent of Americans suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and its treatment is often incomplete with patients left to suffer. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD but there are many others. The Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan was developed to address all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan’s Nurse Coordinator will navigate you through your experience with access, convenience, information and support as its mission’s cornerstones. Coordinated, efficient care delivered in a patient-centered friendly way results in extraordinary patient satisfaction and optimal treatment results.

Acid Reflux

At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When functioning normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it.

If the LES doesn't close all the way or if it opens too often, the acid produced by your stomach can move into your esophagus. This can cause symptoms like heartburn.

Secondly, acid reflux disease is chronic, meaning it occurs a few times a week. While family history increases the likelihood of developing acid reflux, it can also be caused by:

Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal
Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist
Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea
Smoking
Pregnancy
Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers or blood pressure medications

GERD

GERD is one of the most familiar of all digestive disorders. Its three most common symptoms are heartburn, chest pain and regurgitation. Heartburn occurs due to a malfunction of the valve that connects the stomach and swallowing tube (esophagus). This allows stomach contents that include acid, to back up abnormally or “reflux” into the esophagus. GERD is a “lifetime disease” that usually progresses in severity over the years and its treatment must be delivered with this in mind.

GERD Symptoms

The symptoms of GERD are most typically heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation. Less typically GERD can cause hoarseness, sore throat, worsening asthma and cough. For some, symptoms are relatively mild but others suffer severely on a daily basis with significant lifestyle altering problems. GERD is also associated with sleep disturbance and decreased work productivity.

Diagnosing heartburn, acid reflux and GERD

The first step in acid reflux or GERD treatment is meeting with a physician. Your provider will order diagnostic testing, which can include minimally invasive procedures, to determine your condition's type and extent. Common exams include:

Upper endoscopy: A procedure that uses a thin tube with a light and tiny camera attached. The tube is inserted down the throat to view the esophagus and stomach.
X-ray: Doctors use traditional X-rays to examine the esophagus and stomach. Patients typically drink a fluid that coats the throat lining, making it easier to see the esophagus, stomach and upper intestines.

Esophageal Cancer

In addition to the described symptoms, GERD causes esophageal cancer. The incidence of deadly cancer is on the rise, increasing faster than any other cancer known. This fact is keenly appreciated by the Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan and esophageal cancer risk assessment is part of our comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Next Steps

If you suffer from these symptoms or have been taking longstanding medications for GERD, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is recommended and is available through the Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan. Utilizing our state-of-the-art diagnostics, we accurately determine if GERD is the cause of your problems and assess your risk for the development of GERD-induced esophageal cancer. Treatment options can then be offered based on this information. The Center utilizes a team approach composed of all physicians who treat GERD resulting in comprehensive diagnostic studies and availability of all appropriate treatment options.

The Heartburn Treatment Center in Newnan specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.