Mission Statement
The Heartburn Treatment Center at Knox Community Hospital includes specialty-trained staff who take a patient-focused approach to assessing and treating conditions of the esophagus, including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias. Our team seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of each patient's condition, diagnostic outcomes, and care plan.
With state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, our team can evaluate the esophagus's functioning, obtain a measurement of acid levels in the esophagus, and perform a thorough evaluation of any pre-cancerous modifications in the esophagus, referred to as Barrett’s esophagus. We aim to work with you (and your primary care provider) to create a personal treatment plan to address your diagnosis, individual needs, and hopes going forward. Our surgeons and providers offer a detailed review of available treatment options to determine the best care strategies to control symptoms with minimally invasive surgical treatment opportunities.
Our team engages in national clinical trials and continually evaluates and incorporates new therapeutics and technology to offer excellent management of esophageal conditions. We will be by your side throughout your journey and offer a patient navigator for support and as a single point of contact.
Stomach acid and bile flow backward into the esophagus, causing discomfort and often injury due to exposure to gastric contents.
The esophagus does not tolerate exposure to gastric contents. Chronic/long-term GERD can become a disruptive factor that impacts quality of life.
When in proper working order, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) prevents GERD. This round muscle at the bottom of the esophagus serves as a one-way valve to control the backward flow of stomach elements into the esophagus. When the LES stops working, symptoms of GERD develop.
Possible symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Bloating
- Excessive belching
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Pain in the chest
- Struggling to break
- Chronic cough or bronchitis
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Ear pain
- Post nasal drip
- Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
- Tooth decay/gingivitis/bad breath
- Globus (feeling like something is lodged in your throat)
The risk of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer is greater when chronic GERD is not treated and can result in damage to the esophagus. Controlling the acid with medication often leaves patients with less effective results and continuous refills for relief. The Heartburn Treatment Clinic provides patients with a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan based on the patient’s needs.
Physicians
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