Gastrointestinal problems affect more than a million people in the U.S. every year. Selecting the physicians and practice that provide the best care for your unique needs is extremely important.

The Cooper Digestive Health Institute, the largest outpatient gastroenterology center in South Jersey, provides patients with the most advanced testing and treatment in a state-of-the-art outpatient facility. Cooper gastroenterologists diagnose and treat many complex disorders and diseases of the digestive tract, but one of the more prevalent health problems being seen in patients is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD and is described as a burning chest pain that begins behind the breastbone and moves upward to the neck and throat. For most people, over-the-counter antacids can help, but the cause of the problem remains.

“People that tend to be overweight, smoke, overeat and consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol are more susceptible to this disorder,” said Steven R. Peikin, M.D., Director of the Cooper Digestive Health Institute and author of GERD: It’s More Than Just Heartburn. “I think what some people don’t realize is in many cases, gastroesophageal reflux disease can be prevented through simple diet and lifestyle changes.”

Some ways to manage heartburn include the following:

• Monitor the medications you are taking – some may irritate the lining of the stomach or esophagus.
• Quit smoking.
• Eat smaller portions.
• Do not lie down or go to bed right after a meal.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Elevate the head of the bed six inches.
• Lose weight, if necessary.

If you’d like to learn more about GERD, including available treatment options, we invite you to download and read GERD: It’s More Than Just Heartburn, a free eBook by Dr. Steven Peikin, online at cooperhealth.org/gerd.

Related Links

• Cooper Digestive Health Institute
  Located at 501 Fellowship Road in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, the Cooper Digestive Health Institute staff is committed to implementing innovative medical techniques and maintaining excellence in patient care, while offering a full range of gastrointestinal services.
• Download Your Free Digestive Health eBook
  This short book is available free as an Adobe PDF; an EPUB file, which can be viewed on a number of devices including the iPhone and Sony eReader; or a MobiPocket file, which can be viewed using a Kindle, Blackberry and other mobile devices.