That burning sensation in your chest after a meal may not just be heartburn; it might be signaling something more serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects approximately 20% of the U.S. population, making it one of the most common digestive disorders. 

This chronic condition occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into your esophagus, irritating its lining and causing uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly impact daily life. 

Whether you've recently been diagnosed or suspect you might have GERD, understanding this condition is the first step toward finding relief. Continue reading to get answers to common questions about GERD, its treatment options, and where to find the best GERD doctor in Los Angeles.

What Causes GERD?

GERD occurs primarily when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) — the muscle ring that separates your stomach from your esophagus — fails to do its job properly. This muscle ring normally tightens after food passes through, but when it weakens or relaxes at the wrong times, stomach acid can flow backward into the esophagus, causing irritation. 

Several risk factors for GERD raise your chances, including: 

  • Carrying extra weight, which puts pressure on your abdomen
  • Pregnancy, which temporarily changes your digestive system
  • Smoking, which damages the LES
  • Certain medications, like aspirin or sedatives

Your eating habits matter, too. Large meals, fatty or spicy foods, and eating close to bedtime can all trigger acid reflux. Additionally, a hiatal hernia, where part of your stomach pushes upward through the diaphragm, often accompanies GERD by disrupting the natural barrier that prevents acid reflux.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of GERD?

Heartburn stands as the classic sign of GERD — that uncomfortable burning sensation that rises from your stomach to your chest and sometimes up into your throat. This pain typically worsens after eating, when lying down, or at night. Beyond heartburn, many people experience regurgitation, where partially digested food or sour-tasting liquid backs up into the mouth without warning. 

GERD can also cause less obvious symptoms like:

  • A persistent, unexplained cough
  • Frequent urge to clear your throat
  • A chronically sore throat, as stomach acid irritates these sensitive tissues

Some people also find that swallowing becomes difficult or painful, a condition called dysphagia. For many sufferers, symptoms intensify during the night when lying flat allows acid to move more easily into the esophagus, disrupting sleep. This nighttime acid reflux can lead to morning hoarseness, a bad taste in the mouth, and daytime fatigue due to poor quality sleep.

How do I know if I have GERD or Regular Heartburn?

Getting diagnosed with GERD begins with a visit to your doctor, who will do a thorough physical examination and have a detailed discussion with you about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will likely ask about the frequency and severity of your heartburn, when it occurs, and what seems to trigger or relieve it. 

If your symptoms are typical and your history suggests GERD, your doctor might first prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as both a treatment and diagnostic tool. Significant improvement with these acid-reducing medications often confirms the diagnosis. For more persistent or severe cases, additional testing may be necessary. This testing can include: 

  • An upper endoscopy allows your doctor to visually examine your esophagus and stomach using a flexible tube with a camera
  • 24 to 48-hour esophageal pH test monitoring
  • Esophageal manometry to evaluate how well the muscles in your esophagus work, particularly the lower esophageal sphincter, which should prevent acid backflow

What Are the Best Treatments for GERD?

Effective care blends acid‑suppressing medication, targeted lifestyle modifications for GERD, and, when needed, minimally invasive surgery:

  • For mild symptoms, over-the-counter antacids like Tums or Rolaids provide quick, temporary relief by neutralizing stomach acid, while H2 blockers such as famotidine, also known as Pepcid, reduce acid production for several hours. 
  • Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, also known as Prilosec, offer stronger, longer-lasting acid reduction and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription for more persistent symptoms. 

Alongside medication, doctors strongly emphasize lifestyle changes like:

  • Losing excess weight reduces pressure on your stomach
  • Avoiding trigger foods, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic items, chocolate, and caffeine
  • Eating smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones
  • Not lying down within three hours after eating

For people with severe GERD that doesn't respond to other treatments, surgical options exist. These include fundoplication, where the top of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus to strengthen the barrier, or the newer LINX procedure, which involves implanting a small ring of magnetic beads to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter.

What Foods Should You Avoid If You Have GERD?

Managing GERD effectively means becoming mindful of what you eat, as certain foods can trigger or worsen acid reflux symptoms. Most GERD sufferers find that spicy dishes and acidic foods consistently cause problems by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter or increasing stomach acid production. Some common food triggers for GERD include:

  • Tomatoes
  • Citrus fruits
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated drink
  • Fatty or fried foods
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Mint
  • Carbonated beverages 

It’s important to understand that trigger foods can vary significantly from person to person, and what causes intense heartburn for one individual might be tolerated well by another. 

Can GERD Lead to Complications If Left Untreated?

Untreated GERD isn't just about enduring uncomfortable heartburn, it can lead to serious health problems over time. The persistent backflow of stomach acid gradually damages the delicate lining of your esophagus, potentially causing inflammation called esophagitis, painful ulcers, scarring, and even bleeding. As this damage continues, some patients develop difficulty swallowing as the esophagus narrows from scar tissue formation. 

Perhaps most concerning is Barrett's esophagus, a condition where the cells lining the esophagus change abnormally after prolonged acid exposure. This cellular transformation affects approximately 10% of long-term GERD sufferers and significantly increases the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, a serious form of cancer that has risen dramatically in recent decades. 

Additionally, refluxed acid can travel beyond the esophagus, potentially damaging the throat, voice box, and lungs, leading to chronic cough, hoarseness, or worsening of respiratory conditions like asthma. These potential complications underscore why proper diagnosis and consistent management of GERD are important, even when symptoms seem merely annoying rather than dangerous.

Finding the Best GERD Doctor in Los Angeles

At our practice, we understand how disruptive GERD and other esophageal disorders can be. That’s why we’re proud to offer five-star care from Dr. Shouhed. As one of the country’s leading board-certified surgeons with a deep focus on gastrointestinal conditions, Dr. Shouhed brings both precision and compassion to every diagnosis and treatment plan. 

We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Dr. Shouhed's advanced training allows us to pinpoint the root of your symptoms and offer the most effective, minimally invasive solutions. Whether you’re dealing with chronic reflux or complex esophageal dysmotility, we’re here to help you feel better with care that’s tailored to your needs.

Ready to get symptom relief with the best GERD doctor in Los Angeles?