Heartburn and Reflux

About heartburn and acid reflux

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acids travel back up the esophagus. Some patients may also experience a bitter or sour taste in the throat and mouth, sore throat, dry cough or hoarseness. Symptoms of heartburn may get worse after eating or when lying down. Frequent heartburn can make it difficult to eat or swallow and may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (called acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. This can cause a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms, like heartburn. If not detected and treated early, GERD can lead to more serious conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.

Acid reflux and heartburn treatment

At Hillcrest Hospital South, we provide the below procedures to care for heartburn and acid reflux:

• BARRX procedure: BARRX utilizes radiofrequency ablation to safely and effectively remove precancerous esophageal tissue, providing a crucial step in heartburn treatment and prevention.
• LINX procedure: The LINX system is uniquely designed to keep stomach acid from entering the esophagus, thereby significantly reducing acid reflux symptoms and improving quality of life. The procedure takes about an hour, and patients are placed under general anesthesia.

Learn more about our heartburn and acid reflux treatments.