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GERD Specialist

Gastro90210 Jonathan S Pourmorady, MD Our Services GERD

Gastro90210

Jonathan S Pourmorady, MD

Gastroenterology & Hepatology located in Los Angeles, CA & Garden Grove, CA

If you experience acid reflux at least twice a week or severe reflux at least once per week, you probably have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Find relief from these frequent attacks of heartburn by consulting with Jonathan Pourmorady, MD, of Gastro90210 in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles and Garden Grove, California. For GERD treatment and prevention of complications, call the nearest office or used the online tool to schedule an appointment today.

GERD Q & A

What is GERD?

GERD is a chronic condition in which a backflow of stomach acid comes back up into your esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation in your chest and throat after you eat.

Heartburn is a classic symptom of GERD, but other symptoms include:

  • Frequent burping
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Bitter fluid in the back of your throat 

Symptoms of GERD are usually most intense after you eat or when you sit or lie down.

What causes GERD?

Normally when you eat, food moves from your mouth and down your esophagus. The food passes through a one-way valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of your esophagus and goes into your stomach.

The LES opens to allow food to enter the stomach but closes so stomach acid and food won’t flow back up.

If the LES fails to close as it should, stomach acid can regurgitate back up into your esophagus.

How do I treat the symptoms of GERD?

If you have symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn, over-the-counter medications help neutralize and ease your production of stomach acid. People who are overweight also find that losing weight can help ease their GERD symptoms.

Dietary changes can help, too, such as avoiding foods like coffee, carbonated drinks, fried foods, spicy foods, and tomatoes. Everyone’s trigger foods for GERD are a little different, so keeping track of what foods cause symptoms and taking steps to avoid them also makes sense.

Make other changes may help ease the symptoms of GERD. These include:

  • Eating smaller, more frequent meals
  • Stay upright for 2-3 hours after meals
  • Elevating your head at night to encourage the downward flow of acid
  • Avoiding tight belts and waistbands

Cutting back on excessive drinking and smoking may also reduce GERD symptoms.

What medical treatments for GERD are available?

In addition to prescription medications to ease your GERD, Dr. Pourmorady may recommend a surgical procedure. These include the following laparoscopic interventions:

Fundoplication

During this procedure, Dr. Pourmorady wraps the top of your stomach around the LES. This effectively tightens the muscle to prevent the reflux of acid.

LINX device

Insertion of a LINX device, a ring of tiny magnetic beads, around the connection between the stomach and the esophagus keeps the LES closed to prevent acid reflux. The juncture created is weak enough to still allow food to pass through.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication

This procedure tightens the LES using polypropylene fasteners. Dr. Pourmorady uses no incisions and performs the procedure using an endoscope. Most patients get quick relief and have a fast recovery.

Frequent acid reflux deserves medical attention. Call the nearest office of Gastro90210 or use the online tool to schedule an appointment to address your GERD today.

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