Heartburn can strike anytime and can put a damper on celebrations. While occasional heartburn from party favorites like alcohol, fatty foods and sodas is common, chronically experiencing heartburn could signify a more serious condition. 

If you have frequent symptoms of heartburn, acid indigestion, chest pain or regurgitation (wet burps) you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An estimated 20 percent of Americans suffer from GERD, treating it with over-the-counter medications and antacids.

Medications have always been the primary and first line treatment for patients with GERD. These include antacids, H2 blockers (Zantac, Pepcid) and proton pump inhibitors or PPIs (Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix).

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, without treatment, GERD can lead to serious respiratory complications, including:

• asthma 
• chest congestion
• a dry, long-lasting cough or a sore throat
• hoarseness—the partial loss of your voice
• laryngitis
• pneumonia
• wheezing—a high-pitched whistling sound when you breathe

What can you do if over-the-counter heartburn treatment doesn’t address all of your symptoms? Consider meeting with a GERD specialist. At Prevea, we have a dedicated Heartburn Treatment Center with state-of-the-art equipment to provide a comprehensive evaluation for GERD and other related diseases. We are the only center of its type in Northeast Wisconsin. 

To get connected to a GERD specialist in Green Bay call (920) 429-1700 or in Sheboygan call (920) 457-4400.