GERD (Acid Reflux) Treatment in Delhi
Expert Diagnosis & Personalized Treatment for Persistent Acidity, Heartburn & Acid Reflux
Do you frequently experience heartburn, acidity, sour taste, chest burning, or food coming back into your throat?
Occasional acid reflux is common, but when reflux happens repeatedly or causes complications, it may be Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD occurs when stomach contents repeatedly flow back into the esophagus and cause troublesome symptoms or damage.
Dr. Sri Aurobindo Prasad Das, specialist in Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, provides evaluation and personalized treatment planning for patients with persistent GERD and acid reflux.
Don't Keep Managing Acidity on Your Own
What Is GERD?
GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a long-term condition in which stomach contents repeatedly flow backward into the esophagus.
The lower esophageal sphincter normally helps prevent stomach contents from moving back into the food pipe. When this mechanism does not function properly, acid and other stomach contents can reflux into the esophagus.
Occasional acidity does not necessarily mean you have GERD. However, frequent or persistent reflux symptoms should be evaluated, particularly when they interfere with daily life or do not improve with appropriate treatment.
Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux & GERD
GERD symptoms can vary from person to person.
Frequent heartburn
Burning sensation in the chest
Sour or bitter taste in the mouth
Food or liquid coming back into the throat
Regurgitation after meals
Chest discomfort
Difficulty swallowing
Pain while swallowing
Frequent belching
Chronic cough
Hoarseness or voice changes
Throat irritation
When Should You Consult a Specialist?
Don't simply keep taking antacids or acidity medicines indefinitely if symptoms keep returning.
Frequent heartburn or acidity
Acid reflux occurring repeatedly
Symptoms that disturb your sleep
Food or acid coming back into your throat
Difficulty swallowing
Pain while swallowing
Persistent cough or hoarseness
Symptoms that continue despite medicines
Recurrent symptoms after stopping medication
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent vomiting
Previous diagnosis of esophagitis
What Causes GERD?
GERD can develop when the normal barrier between the stomach and esophagus does not work effectively.
Factors associated with GERD can include:
- Weakness or inappropriate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
- Overweight or obesity
- Hiatal hernia
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Large or heavy meals
- Lying down soon after eating
- Individual food triggers
Not every patient has the same trigger, and identifying the underlying factors is an important part of managing GERD
GERD & Hiatal Hernia
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves upward through an opening in the diaphragm.
A hiatal hernia can increase the likelihood of GERD or make reflux symptoms worse.
Patients with persistent reflux symptoms may therefore require assessment for an underlying anatomical problem such as a hiatal hernia.
Depending on the findings, treatment may involve medicines, lifestyle measures, or surgery in selected cases.
How Is GERD Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history.Depending on your symptoms and response to initial treatment, your doctor may recommend further investigations.
Upper GI Endoscopy
An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy allows the doctor to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a flexible camera.It can help identify: Esophagitis, Esophageal ulcers, Strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, Hiatal hernia, Other abnormalities
24-Hour pH Monitoring
Esophageal pH monitoring measures acid exposure in the esophagus.It may be recommended when the diagnosis is uncertain or when symptoms continue despite treatment.It can help determine whether symptoms correlate with acid reflux.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal manometry measures how the muscles of the esophagus work during swallowing.It may be recommended in selected patients, particularly when swallowing problems are present or before certain anti-reflux procedures.
Imaging & Other Tests
Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may recommend additional tests to evaluate:
- Hiatal hernia
- Esophageal structure
- Swallowing function
- Other causes of chest or upper abdominal symptoms
GERD Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, underlying cause, presence of complications, and response to previous treatment.
Lifestyle modifications
Dietary changes
Weight management where appropriate
Acid-suppressing medicines
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
H2 receptor blockers in selected cases
Endoscopic evaluation or treatment
Anti-reflux surgery for selected patients
Lifestyle Changes for Acid Reflux
Lifestyle measures can help some patients reduce GERD symptoms.
Your doctor may recommend:
Eat Smaller Meals
Large meals can worsen reflux in some individuals.
Avoid Lying Down Soon After Eating
If you experience nighttime reflux, leaving around 3 hours between your last meal and lying down may help reduce symptoms.
Identify Your Food Triggers
Common triggers may include: Spicy foods, High-fat foods, Coffee and caffeine, Chocolate, Mint, Citrus foods, Tomatoes, Alcohol
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you are overweight or have obesity, weight loss may help reduce GERD symptoms.
Elevate the Head During Sleep
For nighttime reflux, elevating the upper body during sleep may help reduce symptoms.
Medicines for GERD
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend medications to control reflux and heal irritation of the esophagus.
Antacids
Antacids may provide short-term relief for mild heartburn.
They are generally not intended to be used every day for severe or persistent symptoms without medical advice.
H2 Receptor Blockers
H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach and may help selected patients.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
PPIs reduce stomach acid production and are commonly used in GERD treatment.
They can help control symptoms and heal acid-related injury to the esophageal lining in many patients.
If you require long-term medication, your doctor can discuss the appropriate medicine, dose, duration, and potential risks and benefits.
When Is GERD Surgery Considered?
Most patients with GERD can be managed with lifestyle measures and medicines.
However, surgery may be considered in selected patients when:
- Symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate medical treatment
- There is a significant hiatal hernia or anatomical problem
- Reflux is objectively confirmed
- Long-term medication is undesirable or unsuitable for the individual
- Complications or other clinical factors make surgery appropriate
Anti-Reflux Surgery
Fundoplication
Fundoplication is a commonly used surgical procedure for GERD.
During the operation, the upper portion of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier and help prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.
The procedure is commonly performed using a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach in appropriate patients.
Laparoscopic GERD Surgery
For selected patients, anti-reflux surgery can be performed laparoscopically. Potential advantages may include:
- Smaller incisions
- Less postoperative discomfort
- Earlier mobility
- Shorter hospital stay in appropriate cases
- Recovery that may be faster than with traditional open surgery
GERD & Barrett's Esophagus
Long-standing GERD can sometimes cause changes in the lining of the esophagus known as Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus does not mean that a person has cancer, but it is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Patients diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus may require specialist monitoring and appropriate treatment based on the presence or absence of dysplasia and other findings.
GERD & Esophagitis
Repeated exposure of the esophagus to stomach contents can cause esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophageal lining.
In some patients, chronic esophagitis can contribute to complications such as: Ulcers, Bleeding, Esophageal narrowing, Swallowing difficulties, Barrett’s esophagus
Appropriate evaluation and treatment can help manage these complications.
GERD & Difficulty Swallowing
Difficulty swallowing should not simply be attributed to acidity.
Persistent or progressive difficulty swallowing may indicate an esophageal narrowing, inflammation, motility disorder, or another underlying condition.
Your doctor may recommend endoscopy and other tests to identify the cause.
Why Choose Dr. Sri Aurobindo Prasad Das?
Dr. Sri Aurobindo Prasad Das is a specialist in Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, with expertise in gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery.
His training includes leading institutions such as JIPMER and AIIMS, along with further clinical experience at reputed healthcare centres.
Areas of Expertise
- Surgical Gastroenterology
- Gastroesophageal & Upper GI Surgery
- Laparoscopic GI Surgery
- Complex Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery
- GI Cancer Surgery
- Liver Transplantation
For patients with persistent GERD, the focus is on accurate diagnosis, identifying the underlying cause, evaluating complications, and selecting the appropriate medical, endoscopic, or surgical treatment.
Book An Appointment
Talk to a GERD (Acid Reflux) Specialist Today
If your acidity keeps returning, interferes with sleep, or requires frequent medication, consider getting evaluated by a specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
GERD is a chronic condition in which stomach contents repeatedly flow back into the esophagus and cause troublesome symptoms or complications.
Not necessarily. Occasional acid reflux is common. GERD refers to more persistent or troublesome reflux that causes symptoms or complications.
Heartburn and regurgitation are common symptoms. Some patients may also experience chest discomfort, difficulty swallowing, nausea, chronic cough, or hoarseness.
GERD can often be effectively managed, but the appropriate treatment varies between patients. Lifestyle measures and medicines help many people. Selected patients may benefit from anti-reflux surgery.
Not everyone with GERD requires an endoscopy. Your doctor may recommend one when symptoms persist, do not respond appropriately to treatment, or when complications or another condition need to be ruled out.
Yes. GERD can be associated with chronic cough and other symptoms involving the throat and respiratory system. However, cough has many possible causes and should be properly evaluated.
Yes. GERD-related inflammation or complications such as an esophageal stricture can cause swallowing difficulties. Persistent difficulty swallowing requires medical evaluation.
Yes, selected patients may undergo anti-reflux surgery such as fundoplication. Surgery is generally considered after appropriate evaluation and objective assessment of reflux.
A hiatal hernia can increase the likelihood of GERD or worsen reflux symptoms.