UT Southwestern Medical Center offers the most advanced diagnostic evaluations and treatments available to treat esophageal and swallowing diseases, including achalasia, acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD), Barrett's esophagus, and esophagitis.
Approximately 19 million people have acid reflux, also known as chronic heartburn, which is caused by stomach acid moving upward from the stomach into the esophagus. Of those, an estimated 700,000 Americans suffer from Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition attributed to longstanding GERD.
At UT Southwestern, our specialists evaluate patients who have experienced symptoms such as chronic heartburn, acid indigestion or difficulty swallowing, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with an esophageal disease.
After a complete examination, your UT Southwestern gastroenterologist may prescribe additional tests such as an upper gastrointestinal (upper GI) "barium swallow" or an endoscopy procedure, in which they use a tiny camera to evaluate the esophagus.
If medication and lifestyle changes do not sufficiently control the condition, our specialists can perform endoscopic, open or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to correct the condition. An endoscopic procedure may be used, for example, to strengthen an esophageal muscle that helps control acid reflux, or an open surgical procedure may be used to repair a hiatal hernia contributing to the condition.
Our dedication to providing expert and compassionate care makes an important difference in our patients’ treatment and outlook on the future.