Heartburn & GERD

While all four of these terms are related, they describe different stages of the same process:

• Acidity is a general term for the production of excess stomach acid.
• Acid Reflux is the physical action of stomach acid flowing backward into the esophagus and mouth. Chronic acid reflux is an indicator of GERD.
• Heartburn is the burning sensation in the chest and a symptom of acid reflux.

GERD is a chronic, more severe form of acid reflux that occurs at least twice a week. It is a disease that can lead to tissue damage.

The primary cause of GERD is a weakened or abnormally relaxed Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). LES is the muscular valve at the bottom of your esophagus (food pipe) that must shut close after the food/ drink has gone into the stomach, preventing stomach acids from flowing back. A number of factors that contribute to this weakness include:

• Hiatal Hernia: When the upper part of the stomach bulges into the chest.
• Obesity: Increased abdominal pressure forces acid upward.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and physical pressure on the stomach.

Lifestyle Triggers: Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and lying down immediately after large, fatty meals.

If you experience any of these symptoms for two or more days per weeks for several weeks or you regularly take non-prescription antacids, you could have GERD:

• Frequent heartburn (burning feeling in the chest)
• Regurgitation (food/ acid/ liquid coming back into the throat or mouth)
• Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
• Non-cardiac chest pain/ upper belly pain
• Sore throat
• Sensation of a lump in the throat
• Trouble swallowing (Dysphagia)
• Asthma symptoms (chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath)

Yes, GERD is serious. Persistent heartburn, chronic acidity, and GERD, if not effectively managed, can cause irreversible damage.

• • Esophagitis: Inflammation of esophageal tissues, causing pain and ulcers
  • Esophageal strictures: Narrowing of the esophagus
  • Barrett’s Esophagus: The pre-cancerous stage that causes an increased risk of throat cancer
  • Worsening asthma symptoms/ chronic sinusitis
  • Painful peptic ulcers
  • Upper GI bleeding
  • Iron deficiency anaemia
  • Dental damage including erosion of teeth enamel

GERD is a manageable condition and can even be effectively reversed with precision-led diagnosis, proper clinical treatment, and lifestyle discipline.

While home remedies can provide temporary relief, they are inadequate for the long-term management of GERD. Clinical intervention including medications and fixing the LES are critical and so are lifestyle changes.  

Lifestyle changes are an essential foundation for managing GERD and typically include:  

• Targeted weight loss
• Active lifestyle
• Physical exercise
• Smoking cessation
• Identifying and reducing trigger foods
• Balanced, nutritious diet
• Sleep hygiene

Dr. Rajiv Grover, one of the most trusted digestive disorder specialists in the Ludhiana region, specializes in the comprehensive, patient-centric management of chronic acidity, recurrent heartburn, and GERD. He leverages specialized diagnostic tests such as UGI endoscopy, High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry (HREM), 24-Hour pH Impedance Metry, and EUS-guided biopsies to confirm your GERD diagnosis and check for complications.  

He designs an individualized treatment plan that goes beyond providing temporary relief from symptoms. The focus is to ensure long-term GERD management, achieve significant symptom control, prevent complications such as cancers and ulcers, and enable a quality-of-life improvement. He uses a combination of:

• Non-prescription and prescription medications for:

• • • Neutralizing stomach acid
    • Blocking acids/ Reducing acid production
    • Esophageal healing
    • Relaxing muscles & preventing muscle spasms

• Therapeutic and surgical interventions such as:

• • • Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) to tighten the Lower Esophageal Sphincter through endoscopy
    • Laparoscopic Fundoplication to fix hiatal hernia
    • LINX device implantation
    • Endoscopic procedures for upper GI bleed management
    • Weight-loss surgery (since obesity is a high-risk factor)

• Lifestyle and dietary optimization