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Discover effective acid reflux treatments at Houston Gastro Institute. Learn about GERD symptoms, prevention strategies, and when to seek professional care from our expert gastroenterologists.

Learn why colonoscopy screening is crucial for your health. Houston Gastro Institute provides comfortable, thorough colonoscopy procedures with expert care and advanced technology.

Find relief from IBS symptoms with Houston Gastro Institute's comprehensive treatment approaches. Learn about personalized IBS management strategies and advanced care options.

Discover expert digestive health tips from Houston Gastro Institute to kickstart your 2025. Learn practical strategies for better gut health and overall wellness.

Discover the importance of a healthy digestive system and learn practical tips for maintaining it through a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and routine screenings. Visit Houston Gastro Institute for more insights.

The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. You may not give it much thought until something goes wrong. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common problem with the esophagus. This occurs when the valve between the lower esophagus and the stomach—known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—doesn’t close properly. This allows acid and stomach contents to leak back into the esophagus and irritate the sensitive lining. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, bad breath, and painful swallowing. The damage caused to the esophagus lining can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus.

Everyone has trouble swallowing from time to time. You may find it difficult to chew a tough piece of meat, gag on food with an unpleasant texture, or cough and choke after food goes down “the wrong pipe.” If this happens to you occasionally, make sure you’re taking small enough bites and chewing thoroughly before you attempt to swallow.

When your gastrointestinal (GI) system acts up, you want relief as quickly as possible. This often means avoiding the foods you know cause digestive trouble for you. Apart from this, it’s also helpful to eat more of certain foods that provide immediate relief and help build gut health for fewer digestive problems in the future. Whether you have ulcers, acid reflux, leaky gut, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your GI tract could benefit from changing your diet.