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Heartburn Treatment Services

703-504-4282

You do not have to live with persistent heartburn. Inova Alexandria Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation, education and treatment to heartburn sufferers.

Our treatment services combine the expertise of gastroenterologists, surgeons, pulmonary physicians, and ear nose and throat specialists who have years of experience in heartburn treatment.

What Causes Heartburn?

The discomfort and pain of heartburn is caused when the lining of the esophagus, also known as the food pipe, comes into contact with digestive enzymes and stomach acid for an extended period of time.

The muscles at both ends of the esophagus, called esophageal sphincters, relax to let food pass, then tighten to keep stomach acid down.

When the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) malfunctions and does not tighten enough, acid can wash up or "reflux" from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn.

Some people also suffer from heartburn or chest pain due to a hiatal hernia, which is an opening in the diaphragm that allows a portion of the stomach to protrude into the chest.

Diagnosing GERD

If you suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic studies to evaluate heartburn symptoms and diagnose GERD:

• Outpatient 24-hour pH Studies - Esophageal pH monitoring measures the acidity, or pH, of the esophagus over a 24-hour period.
  
  
• Esophageal Evaluations - Esophageal manometry evaluates the function of the esophagus and the LES.
  
  
• Esophageal Impedance Testing - Impedance testing is a new technique that enables more accurate diagnosis of non-acid reflux events and other esophageal disorders, including reflux of gastric contents.
  
  
• Endoscopy - This exam utilizes a scope to view the inside of the esophagus and stomach to identify esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. Additionally, ulcers may be evaluated at the same time.
  
  
• Barium Upper GI Series - This exam uses x-rays to study potential problems in the esophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine.

Heartburn Treatment Options

Your physician will work with you to identify the right treatment options for your symptoms. Treatments may include lifestyle changes, medication or surgery.

• Lifestyle Changes - Your physician may recommend modifications to your lifestyle that may help you control acid reflux. These recommendations may include changes to your diet or your meal routine, as well as other behavior modifications that may decrease your symptoms.
  
  
• Medication - Your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve symptoms and improve your daily life. These may include:
  
  
  • Antacids - Over-the-counter antacids neutralize stomach acid to provide heartburn relief.
    
    
  • H2 Blockers - Medications called H2 blockers reduce the production of stomach acid to relieve symptoms.
    
    
  • Hydrogen Ion or Proton Pump Inhibitors - These stronger prescription medications keep the stomach from making acid. They are usually prescribed for short-term use.
    
    
  • Promotility Agents - These medications can improve the movement of food through the stomach and prevent backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus.
  
  
• Surgery - Lifestyle changes and medications may not relieve symptoms for patients whose heartburn is caused by mechanical problems with their esophagus. For these patients, a surgical procedure called "fundoplication" may provide relief. This procedure recreates the LES by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lowest portion of the esophagus. Hiatal hernias are repaired at the same time. This procedure can be done by traditional open surgery or through less invasive laparoscopic surgery, which is conducted with small surgical instruments through tiny incisions in the abdomen.

Risks of Not Treating Heartburn

If persistent heartburn is not adequately treated, it can result in serious complications:

• Esophageal bleeding
• Esophageal ulcers
• Narrowing of the esophagus
• Pre-cancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus
• Problems with breathing and sleeping