National GERD Awareness Week is November 20-26, 2022

When You Should See a Doctor

The week of November 20-26, 2022, is national Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week. It comes just in time for Thanksgiving when many Americans may experience heartburn associated with overeating. However, if heartburn occurs more frequently, or is associated with additional symptoms, it may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

An estimated 1 in every 5 American adults suffers from GERD. It is a chronic condition caused by changes in the gastroesophageal valve (GEV) that allow contents to flow from the stomach back into the esophagus. Left untreated, GERD can be a lifelong disease.  It can lead to bothersome symptoms, which can vary from mild or moderate to severe depending on the individual.

• Typical symptoms: burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux) and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Atypical symptoms: sensation of a lump in the throat (globus), shortness of breath / asthma, chronic dry cough, chronic sore throat, laryngitis and hoarseness, sleep disruptions, dental erosions and non-cardiac chest pain

GERD is not an acid problem – instead, it is caused by an anatomical issue. The acid our stomach produces is important for digestion, killing harmful bacteria and helping with the absorption of electrolytes and other nutrients from the foods we consume. GERD occurs when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus is not working properly and fails to keep contents in the stomach from washing back up into the esophagus. Medications may offer mild to intermittent symptom control, but they do not stop or prevent reflux. Additionally, those who are or may become dependent on daily medication may develop severe complications from GERD, even if no symptoms are experienced. When left untreated, GERD can lead to other health complications including:

• Damage to the throat or esophagus
• Inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus
• Respiratory complications
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Esophageal cancer

If you are reaching for antacids more than twice a week, it’s time to see a doctor. If your current medications aren’t working well enough, there are alternative endoscopic therapies like the TIF procedure for reflux that could be right for you. There are more treatment options available than ever, and Watertown Regional Medical Center has providers who are ready to help. Please visit www.watertownregional.com/digestive-health/gerd-treatment for more information or call 920.206.3042 to schedule an appointment.

About Watertown Regional Medical Center

Watertown Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has been providing the residents of Dodge and Jefferson counties with excellent healthcare for over 100 years. By placing patients’ needs first, WRMC’s services have grown to include Emergency and Urgent Care, Primary Care, Women’s Health, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Heart and Vascular, Neurology, Pulmonology, Ophthalmology, Mental & Behavioral Health and many other services. For more information and to see a complete list of the services offered, visit www.watertownregional.com.