If you struggle with a burning sensation in your chest or a sour taste in your mouth, you aren't alone. Millions of people deal with the daily discomfort of heartburn, but you should know when it becomes something more serious.
At Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery in Snellville, Georgia, Aliu O. Sanni, MD, FACS, and our dedicated team help patients find lasting relief from chronic digestive issues. We specialize in advanced acid reflux treatments and weight management solutions designed to restore your health and comfort.
Understanding the root cause of your symptoms is the first step toward feeling better.
Chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a growing global issue. In fact, research shows that global GERD cases have nearly doubled over the last three decades, rising from over 450 million cases in 1990 to more than 825 million in 2021.
Acid reflux becomes GERD when the backward flow of stomach acid occurs frequently — typically twice a week or more — and causes persistent inflammation or damage to your esophagus.
While occasional heartburn is common, GERD is a chronic medical condition that requires professional diagnosis and targeted treatment to prevent long-term complications.
When stomach acid regularly escapes into the esophagus, it can irritate the delicate lining and lead to erosive esophagitis. Over time, this constant irritation can even cause a condition called Barrett's esophagus, when the esophageal lining changes to resemble the lining of the intestine.
According to one study about 7% of people with symptomatic GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, which is a known precursor to esophageal cancer. This is why we don't recommend ignoring persistent symptoms.
Our team uses advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to protect your esophagus and stop the progression of GERD before it causes irreversible damage.
Excess abdominal weight increases physical pressure on your stomach, forcing gastric acid upward into the esophagus. This extra pressure compromises the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscular valve that normally keeps stomach contents where they belong.
Obesity significantly increases your risk of developing chronic reflux. A large-scale study found that clinical obesity increases the prevalence of GERD to 30%, compared with just 24% in individuals at a healthy weight.
The study also highlighted that patients with obesity face higher odds of developing severe complications, including erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus.
To help you address both weight and reflux, we offer comprehensive medical weight loss programs, semaglutide injections, and surgical options like gastric sleeve surgery.
If you need surgical intervention, we also utilize state-of-the-art robotic surgery techniques to ensure a precise procedure and a smoother recovery.
Treating GERD effectively involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medical therapies, and surgical interventions tailored to your specific anatomy and health goals.
Medications can neutralize stomach acid, but structural or weight-related reflux often requires mechanical solutions to repair the underlying valve failure.
For many patients, losing weight is one of the most effective ways to relieve pressure on the stomach and reduce reflux symptoms. But if conservative measures aren't enough, surgical options can provide a permanent fix.
Because we specialize in both general and bariatric surgery, we can help you determine the safest and most effective path forward for your body.
We're committed to helping you find relief so you can enjoy eating and living without constant discomfort. Whether you need a customized medical weight loss plan or a surgical consultation, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
You don't have to live with the daily pain and disruption of chronic acid reflux. At Eastside Bariatric & General Surgery, we’re ready to help you find a personalized solution that works. If you're ready to take control of your digestive health and say goodbye to GERD, schedule a consultation with our team in Snellville, Georgia, today.
