Gastroenterology

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also known as Acid Reflux Disease, affects millions of Americans. GERD occurs when stomach acids or intestinal bile leak back from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach), a process called gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux can irritate the esophagus, and cause heartburn and other symptoms, and can damage the esophagus.

While heartburn is the most common symptom, other symptoms include:

• Regurgitation
• Hoarseness
• Belching
• Sore throat
• Asthma-like symptoms
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Excessive throat clearing
• Persistent cough
• Bloating
• Burning in the mouth or throat.

The Heartburn and Reflux Center at Northern Nevada Medical Center offers innovative treatments that can reduce chronic heartburn, as well as chest or throat discomfort to help you restore your lifestyle.

Some of the procedures we perform include:

• Upper endoscopy (EGD)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Hemorrhoid therapy
• Liver biopsy
• Placement of feeding tubes
• Paracentesis
• Esophageal pH probe study
• Esophageal manometry
• ERCP
• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

We evaluate and treat many conditions including:

• Abdominal pain
• Bleeding
• Chest pain
• Colitis
• Colon cancer prevention and treatment
• Constipation
• Crohn's disease
• Diarrhea
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Heartburn
• Hemochromatosis
• Hemorrhoids
• Hepatitis
• Jaundice
• Lactose intolerance
• Liver diseases
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swallowing difficulties
• Ulcerative colitis