Acid reflux, or heartburn, is an unpleasant feeling in the chest or upper stomach.
If your heartburn won’t go away it could be because you have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as GORD. Left untreated, it can cause long-term damage to the lining of your oesophagus (the food pipe that links your mouth and stomach).
Chest pains could also be a sign of something far more serious. So it’s important to see a doctor to be sure.
In this post, we explain which specialists treat acid reflux. You’ll learn what a gastroenterologist does. We also explore how gastroenterologists diagnose and treat acid reflux and other digestive system disorders.
What is a gastroenterologist?
If you have acid reflux symptoms, you’ll want to seek out the best diagnosing and treatment specialists. But what exactly is a gastroenterologist?
A gastroenterologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions of the gut. They include GORD, stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Find out more in this video with London-based acid reflux specialist Dr Sarmed Sami.
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How can a gastroenterologist help with acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a common condition where stomach contents leak into your oesophagus. If you have frequent heartburn, or partly digested food comes back into your mouth, you should see a doctor.
When doctors think GORD is a potential cause of your acid reflux, you’ll start a basic treatment course. If simple treatments don’t help, or you experience other digestive problems, you may get a referral to a gastroenterologist.
Acid reflux diagnosis
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your medical history and the problems you are experiencing.
Next, you might like to keep a food diary. When you eat and experience symptoms, make a note of it. Then your doctor will review your notes. If they suspect GORD, they will start treatment.
If that doesn’t clear up your problem, they may send you to a gastroenterologist for tests to find out what’s going on. Tests can include:
Endoscopy
An endoscopy is when the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube equipped with a tiny camera down your oesophagus. It shows the state of your upper digestive tract.
Gastroenterologists also use endoscopy to take tissue samples. This helps with diagnosing complications such as Barrett’s oesophagus.
24-hour pH impedance test
A 24-hour pH impedance test is when a gastroenterologist uses a pH probe to diagnose acid reflux. It measures acid levels in your stomach during a 24-hour period.
96-hour pH capsule (BRAVO)
A 96-hour pH capsule (BRAVO) is when a small capsule is attached to the oesophagus with an endoscope. The capsule measures whether any liquid rising up the oesophagus is acid or alkaline over a 96-hour period.
High-resolution oesophageal manometry
A high-resolution oesophageal manometry uses a long tube to measure the strength and frequency of muscular contractions inside your oesophagus.
Barium swallow
During a barium swallow, your doctor gives you barium (a chalky liquid) to swallow. Any problems in your upper digestive organs will then be easier to check on an X-ray.
Acid reflux treatment
Acid reflux is very common and often triggered by lifestyle factors, such as eating a large meal or drinking alcohol.
It usually happens when food or liquid backs up because the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) muscle is malfunctioning. The sphincter is a valve that opens to let food pass into your stomach, then closes to prevent food and acid from coming back up.
The first things your doctor may recommend are lifestyle modifications to control symptoms:
- Eat little and often rather than big, heavy meals, and reduce things that cause heartburn. For example: fatty, spicy and fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, onions, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks
- Avoid smoking
- Lose weight (if your doctor advises it)
- Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety
- Wearing comfortable loose-fitting clothes
- Raise the head of your bed (acid reflux is often worse when you lie down, especially within three hours of eating)
- Take over-the-counter medicines (under medical guidance).
Is persistent acid reflux something to worry about? Within a few weeks, if you don’t feel better, your doctor may suggest prescription medication or surgery.
Medicines include:
- Antacids to relieve heartburn
- H-2 receptor blockers to ease symptoms for a few hours.
- Proton pump inhibitors to stop acid production and heal the inflamed tissue in your oesophagus
- Prokinetics and Baclofen: These drugs affect the muscle contractions of the LOS, slowing the backflow of stomach acid and food into your oesophagus.
Any over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause side effects, especially when used long term.
What if medications for acid reflux don’t work, or you have unpleasant side effects?
Talk to a gastroenterologist about surgical procedures to strengthen your oesophagus and manage acid reflux. These include:
Stretta anti-reflux procedure
Stretta anti-reflux procedure involves using an endoscope to deliver radiofrequency energy. This thickens and improves the strength of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), reducing acid reflux symptoms.
Linx surgery
This minimally invasive procedure involves placing a small band of magnetically connected beads around your oesophagus. The device gently constricts the opening of the oesophagus above the stomach.
Nissen fundoplication
This involves wrapping the top part of your stomach around the LOS. Surgeons do this using a small instrument via a keyhole incision. It aims to improve the function of the LOS and reduce acid reflux.
Transoral incisionless fundoplication
TIF uses polypropylene fasteners wrapped partially around the lower oesophagus. It’s less invasive than Nissen fundoplication because surgeons position the fasteners with an endoscope via the mouth.
How can I book an appointment?
Digestive Health UK is a collaborative team of specialised doctors.
If you have persistent digestive problems, contact us to book a visit to our clinic. Our healthcare professionals can provide a rapid diagnosis and expert treatment for acid reflux and a wide range of digestive conditions.
