Emergency and Trauma at Miami Valley Hospital

If you occasionally feel heartburn, a burning sensation caused by stomach acid when it backs up into your esophagus – the tube between your mouth and stomach – you may have acid reflux. In most cases, reflux is easily treated, posing minor health risks.

If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, though, you could have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Untreated, GERD can cause complications, even raising your risk of cancer.

The Premier Health Heartburn And Reflux Institute offers you comprehensive care for reflux and GERD, provided by a multidisciplinary team of health care specialists in ENT (ear, nose and throat), gastroenterology, bariatrics, or weight loss, and nutrition.

Premier Health Heartburn and Reflux Institute experts work together to offer you a wide range of lifestyle, medication, and surgical treatment options.

GERD isn’t a life-threatening condition, but if left untreated can lead to more serious health issues and complications such as inflammation of the esophagus, which can lead to ulcers, an increased risk of esophageal cancer, and esophageal stricture, a narrowing of the esophagus, which can raise the risk of choking.

The Heartburn and Reflux Institute team provides the following services:

Acid reflux and GERD are closely related, but not the same condition.

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is the backward flow of stomach acid into your esophagus. During an episode of acid reflux, you might feel heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest. This can occur after eating a big meal or drinking coffee or alcohol.

Sometimes acid reflux progresses to GERD, a more severe form of reflux. The most common symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn — two or more times a week. Other symptoms can include:

Lifestyle changes can help resolve acid reflux and GERD. These include:

Over-the-counter medicines, such as antacids (like Tums) or H2 blockers (like Pepcid), also work to relieve acid reflux for many. If over-the-counter medicines don’t work for you, your doctor could recommend stronger prescription medicines, more testing, or surgery.

The Premier Health Heartburn and Reflux Institute offers these surgical options for GERD:

You will find new safety measures in place when you schedule appointments and come to our facilities — all with the goal of keeping you safe as we care for you.

When you need surgery, we’re here with experience and options. Our surgical teams are committed to providing you with effective, patient-focused care. See a list of our convenient locations or find a general surgeon.

*The current wait time is an estimated wait time before a person sees a physician and is not a guarantee. It is based on patient activity (how many patients are being treated and the severity of their injuries) within the last hour, and it is subject to change at any moment. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Current wait times as of: 6/24/2022 11:41 PM

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. © 2021 Premier Health. All rights reserved worldwide.