- 719-686-7776
- 403 S. Baldwin St. Woodland Park, CO
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition most often associated with heartburn and indigestion. In short, stomach acid backs up into your esophagus due to muscle weakness between esophagus and stomach. These special muscles aren’t able to keep out the stomach acid as they should, which can lead to some pretty uncomfortable symptoms.
At True Life Medicine in Colorado Springs, our team is able to diagnose and treat your GERD symptoms so that you can get back to enjoying your life. You’ll no longer have to dread eating certain foods or worry about dealing with symptoms while out and about.
Through a functional medicine approach, we’re able to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and treat what’s really causing your GERD. Antacids are not a solution to indigestion and heartburn. They simply mask the issues. Instead, we will recommend manageable exercise and nutrition, promote gut health, and offer other holistic treatments.
Visit True Life Medicine and find hope for treating GERD in Colorado Springs.
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Between the esophagus and the stomach, there exists a ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter. When you eat, these muscles relax to allow the food to pass through to the stomach. Once you’re done eating, the muscles close.
However, frequent acid reflux can weaken these muscles and allow the acidic contents of the stomach to return to the esophagus. The acid can harm the esophagus, leading to pain and inflammation.
GERD is most commonly associated with the feeling of heartburn (a noticeable burning feeling within the chest). This heartburn usually occurs after eating since food fills the stomach along with digestive acids, which can rise up into the esophagus.
Other symptoms include:
Any instance of chest pain should be shared with a medical professional since it can be a symptom of a much more severe disease.
Certain conditions will either increase your risk of GERD or exacerbate symptoms. Some of these conditions are temporary or may be alleviated through lifestyle changes. Conditions that may complicate GERD include:
If GERD is not treated, it may result in tissue damage and risk of cancer. Most long term effects are related to damaged esophageal tissue linings. For example, you may experience:
Medical research continues to show that many people suffer from leaky gut. Due to the modern American diet, anxiety, and immune issues, many Americans have weak digestive linings and unbalanced gut microbiomes. These issues can lead to an increase in acids and gasses within the gut.
Functional medicine prioritizes gut health in many treatments. And we’ve found that if we can heal the gut, then we can lower the likelihood of acid reflux. Over time, the esophagus may be able to heal itself, and we can prevent further damage to the upper digestive tract.
If you’re suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion, come work with True Life Medicine near Colorado Springs. GERD is just one possible explanation for your current symptoms. Our job is to work closely with you to find out the cause.
Perhaps you’ve gone to a doctor before to treat your GERD symptoms. If you’re like many patients we see here at True Life Medicine, you didn’t receive satisfactory treatment. It’s likely that you were prescribed a few pills to mitigate symptoms in the short term, but your doctor didn’t discover a long-term solution. True Life Medicine is in the business of treating root causes, not masking symptoms.
You can rest easy knowing that Dr. James will give you as much time as it takes to come up with an effective treatment.
Reach out to our team today to set up your first appointment. We’re excited to meet you!