Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment in Sugar Land, Texas

Helping You Find Relief From Chronic Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid or other stomach contents repeatedly flow backward into the esophagus. This chronic condition can cause heartburn, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing, hoarseness, and other symptoms that may interfere with sleep and everyday quality of life.

Dr. Gregory L. Shannon is a board-certified gastroenterologist serving patients in Sugar Land, Texas. He provides comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment for GERD and other digestive conditions. Contact Dr. Shannon's office for an appointment today!

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach acid leaks into your food pipe (esophagus) causing a burning sensation in your chest and other associated symptoms.

Everyone experiences acid reflux once in a while after a heavy meal or when lying down. However, people with GERD experience acid reflux on a regular basis, often more than twice a week, and it could lead to serious health concerns and negatively impact quality of life.

What Causes GERD?

GERD occurs as a result of the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscular ring that connects the lower part of the esophagus to the stomach. The function of the LES is to prevent the backing up of food and stomach acids into the esophagus, but when the sphincter is weak, it fails to close tightly enough, resulting in acid reflux. The other common way it occurs is due to the LES opening too frequently.

Risk Factors for GERD

Factors that may contribute to the development of GERD include:

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Loose LES
• Natural weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter
• Consuming too much oily and spicy foods
• Certain types of medications
• Drinking alcohol
• Lying down after a heavy meal

What are the Symptoms of GERD?

You may experience the following symptoms:

• A harsh, burning sensation in your chest rising from your stomach
• Regurgitation of partially digested food
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chronic coughing or wheezing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness of voice
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Sinusitis

What if GERD is Left Untreated?

If left untreated, GERD can cause bleeding, perforation, ulcer, scarring, or precancerous changes in the mucosal lining of the esophagus.

Diagnosis of GERD

To diagnose your condition, your doctor will discuss the frequency of your symptoms as well as the aggravating and relieving factors and perform a physical examination. The following diagnostic tests may be ordered:

Endoscopy: A fiberoptic camera is introduced through your mouth allowing visualization of the esophagus to look for signs of GERD. This is a day procedure.

Radiology: CT scan, X-rays.

Esophageal Manometry: It is a method of testing the strength and efficiency of esophageal contraction. A thin tube is passed through your nose down your throat and into the esophagus. The pressure on the tube is measured as you eat different types of food.

pH Study: It is performed to check the acid levels in your esophagus.

Impedance Testing: It is performed to check for non-acid reflux in your esophagus.

Treatment of GERD

The three progressive stages of treatment of GERD are:

Lifestyle Modifications

The first line of treatment would be lifestyle changes such as:

• Avoid foods that aggravate GERD symptoms
• Eat smaller meals
• Do not lie down for at least 3 hours after a meal
• Maintain a healthy body-mass index
• Elevate the head of your bed while lying down
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol consumption

Medication Therapy

If lifestyle changes do not resolve symptoms, you may have to use medications such as:

Antacids: These are medications that neutralize the effect of stomach acids.

Acid-suppression medications: These medications suppress the production of stomach acids. These include H2 Antagonists and PPIs.

Reflux Surgery

If medications and lifestyle treatments fail to resolve your GERD symptoms, surgery should be considered. Your doctor offers the latest surgical treatments such as robotic surgery and laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery to ensure positive outcomes and quick return to activities of daily living.

This is usually done through keyhole incisions, and you have a short hospital stay, usually just overnight. You can return to work after one week and will have a modified diet for 4 weeks post-op.

Why Choose Dr. Gregory L. Shannon for GERD Treatment?

Personalized Care for Chronic Acid Reflux

GERD symptoms vary among patients and can sometimes resemble those of other digestive or medical conditions. Dr. Gregory L. Shannon provides individualized gastroenterology care to identify factors contributing to persistent reflux and determine an appropriate treatment plan.

His approach begins with reviewing your symptoms, medical history, medications, diet, and lifestyle. When necessary, diagnostic testing may be recommended to evaluate the esophagus, measure reflux, and check for complications.

Patients Can Expect:

• Care tailored to the frequency and severity of reflux symptoms
• Evaluation of heartburn, regurgitation, and swallowing difficulties
• Diagnostic testing when medically appropriate
• Personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations
• Medication management to help control stomach acid
• Monitoring for inflammation and other esophageal complications
• Coordination of additional specialty care when needed
• Clear explanations about diagnosis and treatment options

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – FAQs

What is the difference between acid reflux and GERD?

Acid reflux describes the backward movement of stomach contents into the esophagus. Occasional reflux is common, particularly after a large meal. GERD is a chronic condition in which reflux repeatedly causes troublesome symptoms or damages the esophagus.

When should I see a gastroenterologist for acid reflux?

You should consider seeing a gastroenterologist if reflux occurs frequently, disrupts your sleep or daily activities, does not improve with over-the-counter medication, or returns after medication is stopped. Medical evaluation is also important if you experience difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, or unexplained weight loss.

How is GERD diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, medications, diet, and possible triggers. Depending on your condition, Dr. Shannon may recommend upper endoscopy, esophageal pH monitoring, impedance testing, or esophageal manometry.

Can GERD be treated without surgery?

Yes. Many patients can manage GERD through lifestyle changes and medications that neutralize or reduce stomach acid. Surgery or another procedure may be considered when symptoms remain uncontrolled despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment or when certain complications are present.

What foods can make GERD symptoms worse?

Common triggers include fatty or fried foods, spicy meals, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. Triggers differ among individuals, so keeping a food-and-symptom diary may help identify the foods that affect you.

Can GERD cause coughing or hoarseness?

Yes. Reflux that reaches the throat may irritate the airway and vocal cords, potentially causing chronic coughing, frequent throat clearing, hoarseness, wheezing, or a persistent sore throat. Because these symptoms can have other causes, a proper evaluation is important.

Can untreated GERD damage the esophagus?

Persistent exposure to stomach acid can cause inflammation, ulcers, bleeding, or narrowing of the esophagus. Some patients may develop Barrett's esophagus, a change in the esophageal lining associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

What lifestyle changes may help reduce GERD symptoms?

Helpful measures may include eating smaller meals, avoiding personal trigger foods, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, stopping smoking, and waiting at least three hours after eating before lying down. Elevating the head of the bed may also reduce nighttime reflux.

When do GERD symptoms require urgent medical attention?

Seek immediate medical care for chest pain, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, or back. Vomiting blood, passing black stools, severe difficulty swallowing, or persistent vomiting also requires prompt medical attention.

Take the Next Step Toward Relief From GERD

Evaluation, Treatment & Personalized Gastroenterology Care

Whether you are experiencing frequent heartburn, regurgitation, nighttime reflux, chronic coughing, or difficulty swallowing, Dr. Shannon can provide a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Contact his office in Sugar Land, Texas, for an appointment today.

Heartburn/Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

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