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The Esophageal Health and Reflux Center

The Esophageal Health and Reflux Center at UMMC is dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the esophagus, including GERD, achalasia, Barrett’s esophagus, cancer and others. For people with troublesome symptoms, our services cover the full range of care, from prescription medications to advanced minimally invasive surgical options.

As part of Mississippi’s only academic medical center, we provide a breadth of expertise and capability from physician specialists, all available in a single location. Here, patients can receive answers to their questions and the treatment(s) they need to feel better, live longer, and have an improved quality of life.
When to see a doctor for acid reflux, GERD and heartburn

Reflux is the occurrence of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, the long narrow tube that connects the throat to the stomach. When this happens, you may have a terrible taste and burning sensation in your chest and throat.

Occasional reflux is common and often can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, such as antacids like TUMS®, or other types of medications called H2 blockers (Pepcid®, Zantac®), or proton-pump prohibitors (Nexium®, Prilosec®).

But when reflux occurs frequently and consistently over time, you may have a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

People who have GERD are at greater risk for a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus. GERD and Barrett’s esophagus are the only known and identifiable risk factors for a type of esophageal cancer. It’s important to screen for these two conditions to identify esophageal cancer in its earliest stages when treatment options are better.

Learn about our quick, painless screening for Barrett's esophagus.

Conditions we treat

As experts on conditions that affect the esophagus, we diagnose and treat common, rare and complex diseases such as:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Achalasia (a disorder of the muscles of the esophagus)
  • Barrett’s esophagus
  • Esophageal cancer (all stages)
  • Hiatal hernias
  • Esophageal motility disorders (diseases that interfere with the muscles of the esophagus and their ability to move food to the stomach)
  • Esophageal diverticula
Procedures we offer

Surgical treatments for GERD and other esophageal diseases

Some conditions that affect the esophagus may be successfully managed without surgery. When surgery is recommended, our specialists provide expertise in a range of endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques to relieve symptoms and prevent worsening of the disease.

Among the endoscopic (non-surgical) options we offer are:

  • Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): a procedure to treat achalasia
  • Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD): a procedure to remove early-stage cancers of the esophagus
  • Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF): a procedure to treat GERD
  • Ablation of Barrett’s esophagus: a procedure that uses high-energy radio waves or sprayed liquid nitrogen to destroy pre-cancerous cells associated with Barrett’s esophagus 

Meet our team

Members of our clinical team are experts in diagnosing, treating and managing common and complex diseases affecting the esophagus. Learn about our staff's education, training and certifications.

Our Providers
Diagnosing GERD and other esophageal conditions

Our physicians and other clinical experts use advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of symptoms and determine their severity. Among these are:

  • Endoscopy
  • pH Capsule testing (Bravo test)
  • EndoFLIP (endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe)
  • Timed Barium Esophagram
  • CT scanning

Other advanced technology we will be adding soon includes high-resolution manometry.

What to expect at your first visit

At your first visit to our Center, you will meet with our physician or nurse practitioner to go over your symptoms, medical history and results of any tests you may have already had. You will A health care provider shows a chart to a patient sitting in front of heralso undergo a physical examination. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, you may be screened for Barrett’s esophagus.

After this thorough assessment, we will answer your questions and make sure you fully understand your condition. We will discuss available treatment options and may schedule any procedures that you decide to have.

Learn more about what insurance covers.

Getting Started

 

Request a Consultation

Or, call (601) 984-5170. You can also ask your primary care doctor or GI specialist to schedule an appointment.

While you are waiting to meet with our team, you can try our recommended self-help measures to relieve mild symptoms.

Before you come, you can check in online and complete paperwork with a free MyChart account. Sign up for your account online here.