Gastroesophageal Reflux Disiease (GERD), a lifelong disease affecting up to one in five adults in the United States
Walnut Creek, CA — November 12, 2014 — National GERD Awareness week takes place every year during the week of Thanksgiving – a time when many Americans may experience heartburn associated with overeating. However, if heartburn occurs more frequently, or is associated with symptoms other than heartburn, it may be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a lifelong disease that affects up to one in five adults in the United States.
GERD is caused by a weak valve that allows acid, bile and stomach contents to flow back from the stomach into the esophagus, creating pain (heartburn) and often causing damage to the lining of the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom, but not the only one. Some GERD sufferers experience other symptoms, such as regurgitation, hoarseness, persistent cough, asthma, bad breath, sleep disturbance and tooth erosion. Medications can help with the heartburn symptoms, but do not address the actual cause of GERD, a weak lower esophageal sphincter. More than a matter of lifestyle, GERD is typically caused by a physiological or structural issue associated with the esophagus or related anatomy.
Dr. Wilson Tsai, Director of the Heartburn Center of California, “Diagnostic testing performed by a healthcare provider specializing in diseases of the esophagus is the only way to definitively diagnose GERD. I urge patients suffering from chronic heartburn to seek help from a GERD specialist at the Heartburn Center of California who can provide an accurate diagnosis and discuss the latest treatment options to ultimately give these patients their lives back.”
“If someone finds themselves having symptoms despite taking medication, or if they develop new symptoms or nighttime reflux, it’s time to get a thorough evaluation,” continued Dr. Tsai.
For more information on GERD, treatment options and informative seminars that one can attend can be found at www.heartburncenterofcalifornia.com.
About Heartburn Center of California
The Heartburn Center of California was established to provide specialized and focused care to patients suffering from esophageal and digestive disorders resulting in what is commonly known as heartburn. The Center is dedicated to providing very specialized medical professionals with in depth knowledge and focused technics in diagnosing and treating ailments that result in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), also referred to as heartburn.
The holistic and methodical approach to diagnosis and treatment by the Center contribute to a high success rate in identifying and addressing the root cause of the heartburn as opposed to just treating the symptoms of this increasingly common ailment.
According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), “Up to 60 percent of the population at some time during the year, and 20 to 30 percent weekly, experience symptoms of [GERD], such as heartburn and acid regurgitation.”[1] With such a high prevalence and few organizations focused specifically on accurately diagnosing and treating the disease, the healthcare professionals at the Heartburn Center of California are unique in their dedication and focus on esophageal and digestive disorders in particular as they pertain to GERD or heartburn.
www.heartburncenterofcalifornia.com
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Contacts:
Alex Arvanitidis
+1.703.623.6984
For more information on the Heartburn Center of California, please visit:
www.heartburncenterofcalifornia.com
[1] Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s (HCUP) “Statistical Brief #44″