Heartburn
The medical term for heartburn is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
You may experience mild symptoms such as occasional discomfort in the centre of your chest, but in some cases symptoms can be persistent and debilitating. The stomach acid can travel higher up which may leave a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, a hoarse voice, or it may lead to a chronic cough as it irritates your lungs. In severe cases you may experience both acid reflux and food regurgitation as well, with symptoms being worse when you lie down flat.
Its cause is usually multifactorial. It may be related to diet, weight, stress, smoking, and/or alcohol.
A gastroscopy will diagnose possible causes of the heartburn and evaluate the severity and possible complications caused by heartburn.
During a gastroscopy I will biopsy the body and the antrum of the stomach for H.pylori bacteria. I will also verify for a possible hiatal hernia which is a physical weakening of the valve between the esophagus and stomach. This valve usually keeps the acid and food down inside the stomach but when a hiatal hernia is present it is no longer able to function as it normally would.
In mild cases if your heartburn only occurs occasionally, you can try over-the-counter antacids (either chewable or liquid). For more severe or frequent symptoms, I would suggest an H2-antagonist or proton pump inhibitor (PPI) taken daily, which would require a prescription.
Long term damage of the esophagus from stomach acid can eventually lead to Barrett’s esophagus, which is a change in the cells. This is an established risk factor for esophageal cancer.
A gastroscopy provides patients with peace of mind by determining the cause(s) of the heartburn. Once we know, we can create a management plan together to address these causes, prevent further damage, and treat your symptoms in order to improve your quality of life.
At ScopeSC, we are more than just a clinic—we are your partners in health, dedicated to providing the care you need, the way healthcare should be. Welcome to a new standard in endoscopy services, where your health, your time, and your peace of mind come first.