The Hidden Risks of Untreated Hernias
Sometimes hernias don’t cause any problems; you may not even know you have one. On the other hand, large or complex hernias can be life-threatening if left untreated. Learn more here.
Warning Signs Your Acid Reflux Needs Medical Attention
You have acid reflux. Perhaps you’ve kept it under control in the past, but now you’re experiencing reflux symptoms a lot more frequently. It’s time to see a specialist.
Our board-certified bariatric surgeons with Turnquest Surgical Solutions treat many cases of acid reflux. Your reflux may be caused by being obese, your eating and drinking habits, or a hiatal hernia. We perform surgery to correct your hiatal hernia if that’s causing your reflux.
If you’re overweight or obese and can’t get your weight under control, we perform several types of weight loss surgery which calms your acid reflux.
Acid reflux can lead to health complications if it becomes severe and isn’t treated. Following are signs that you need to see a specialist about your acid reflux.
Difficulty swallowing
Are you frequently having trouble swallowing now? Perhaps in the past it was just now and then, but recently, it’s hard to get your food down your throat.
Persistent reflux can make your throat abnormally narrow, so food has a hard time passing through your throat and esophagus. Don’t wait to make an appointment for your acid reflux until it hurts to eat.
Frequent regurgitation
Is undigested food traveling up your esophagus and back into your mouth, leaving a bitter taste? Aside from making eating unpleasant, frequent regurgitation can inflame your esophagus, leading to a condition called esophagitis that can lead to ulcers. Regurgitation can also cause your airway to narrow, making eating difficult. In addition, if it occurs over a long period of time, it could lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that could lead to esophageal cancer.
Your acid reflux symptoms occur more than two times during the week
Is your heartburn occurring with increasing frequency? Do you keep an antacid in your pocket so you’ll have it to help quell the pain? Too many antacids can harm your health – specifically, your kidney function.
If you’re getting heartburn, have trouble swallowing, have food coming back up into your esophagus, are getting hoarse for no reason, or any of the other acid reflux symptoms more than a couple of times per week, it’s time to see a specialist.
Signs you need immediate medical attention
Sometimes acid reflux can lead to a medical emergency. If you experience any of the following, call 911.
- Vomiting, which could signal internal bleeding
- Black stools, also a possibility of internal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Inability to keep down liquid
- Difficulty breathing, which could signal a blockage in your esophagus
- Severe chest pain with or without shortness of breath or dizziness
If you suffer from acid reflux, you wouldn’t be the first person to go to the ER thinking you’re having a heart attack, but instead, you have acid reflux. However, severe chest pain is also a sign of a heart attack. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Call Turnquest Surgical Solutions or request an appointment through our online portal today if your acid reflux is becoming a chronic condition.
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