Fast Answers and Expert Care for Real Relief
At the AdventHealth Comprehensive Heartburn and Swallowing Center, answers come first, so your care is guided by clarity and confidence. Expect an efficient evaluation and a personalized plan focused on relieving your symptoms and improving your quality of life. We deliver coordinated care for heartburn, reflux and swallowing disorders, so you get the right tests, the best treatment and faster relief.
No referral is needed for most patients; insurance requirements may vary.
About Our Center
At our heartburn and swallowing center, a team of specialists works together to get you answers, fast. We use proven care pathways and advanced diagnostics to pinpoint what’s causing your symptoms and tailor the right medical or surgical treatment for you. From your first visit, we’ll monitor your symptoms to help you find relief so you can focus on enjoying the life you love.
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Advanced Testing
We use targeted studies and the latest technology to find the root cause of your symptoms.
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Evaluation and Diagnosis
We’ll help you get the answers you need, fast, to help you find relief and peace of mind.
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Medical and Surgical Options
We offer both surgical and nonsurgical options tailored to your unique needs and health goals.
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Multidisciplinary Team
Our team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, dietitians, speech-language pathology specialists, radiologists, psychologists and more all work together to provide the highest level of expert care.
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Personalized Care Plans
We offer lifestyle support, medical therapy and a variety of procedures, so that your care is personalized to meet your unique needs and health goals.
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Outcome Tracking
We track your symptoms at every step of your health journey to help you find relief and get back to the life you love.
When to Seek Care for Digestive Symptoms
Knowing when to seek care can make all the difference. If you’re experiencing persistent heartburn or difficulty swallowing along with any other concerning digestive symptoms, don’t wait to get help. Our team is here to provide answers and relief with expert, compassionate care.
| Common Symptoms: | Act Sooner if You Notice: |
Burning in your chest (heartburn) Chronic cough, hoarseness or throat clearing Frequent belching Regurgitation after meals or when lying down Sensation of a lump in your throat Sour or bitter taste in your mouth Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) | Bloody or black stools Continued symptoms despite daily reflux medications Severe vomiting Unintentional weight loss If you’re experiencing chest pain with any of the symptoms listed above |
Understanding Potential Complications
When heartburn is left untreated, it can lead to potentially serious complications, such as:
- Aspiration pneumonia: stomach acid refluxing into the lungs
- Barrett’s esophagus: precancerous changes to the esophagus
- Dental caries (cavities): potential tooth decay, sensitivity and discoloration due to exposure to stomach acid
- Esophageal cancer: cancer that develops in the lining of the esophagus, often causing difficulty swallowing and weight loss
- Esophageal stricture: narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue
- Esophageal ulcers: open sores that may cause bleeding and anemia
- Esophagitis: inflammation or swelling of the esophagus due to prolonged exposure to stomach acid
- Hoarseness: raspy, strained voice due to an inflamed larynx caused by exposure to stomach acid
- Sleep disturbance: heartburn at night that makes it hard to sleep well
With an early evaluation and testing, we can help protect your esophagus — and your quality of life.
Understanding GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disorder in which stomach acid or contents repeatedly flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and sometimes difficulty swallowing. Find support from our team of experts at the AdventHealth Digestive Health Institute.
Diagnosing Heartburn and Swallowing Disorders
There are many reasons why you could be experiencing heartburn or a swallowing disorder. Your physician may order one or more of these tests to find what’s causing your symptoms.
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EndoFLIP®
A test to measure how well your esophagus stretches and how well the valve at the bottom of your esophagus is working.
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High-Resolution Manometry
This is used to measure muscle coordination and contractions while swallowing.
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Barium Swallow X-Ray
A test to visualize the anatomy and function of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and diagnose conditions such as hiatal hernia, GERD, dysphagia and more.
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Upper Endoscopy (EGD)
This checks for inflammation or precancerous changes with a targeted biopsy.
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Wireless BRAVO™ pH Study
In this study, a tiny capsule gently tracks acid in your esophagus for up to four days.
Personalized Treatment Options
Nonsurgical treatment is our first course of action. Before considering any surgical procedures, your care team may recommend:
- Body-mind tools to manage your symptoms
- Medication optimization
- Nutrition and lifestyle coaching (meal timing, triggers, weight management)
- Swallowing therapy with a speech-language pathologist for swallowing difficulties
When medications and lifestyle changes alone aren’t helping you find relief, it may be time to consider surgical treatment options for GERD or swallowing disorders.
GERD
- Bariatric referral for obesity-related reflux and hiatal hernia
- Endoscopic radiofrequency therapy (Stretta)
- Fundoplication (Nissen/Toupet)
- Hiatal hernia repair
- Magnetic sphincter augmentation (LINX®)
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF)
Swallowing disorders
- Heller myotomy with or without Nissen fundoplication
- Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM procedure for achalasia)
Our goal is to reduce or eliminate symptoms, protect the esophagus and improve your overall quality of life.
Find Lasting Relief From Achalasia
With rare motility disorders like achalasia, you deserve the utmost care from trusted experts. At the AdventHealth Digestive Health Institute, our surgeons are among the most experienced in the world using surgical techniques to alleviate achalasia symptoms like difficulty swallowing, regurgitation and chest pain. Count on us to help you find relief and feel your best again.
Our Experts, Dedicated to Your Care
Whether you’re seeking relief from persistent heartburn, facing swallowing difficulties or simply want to protect your digestive health, our specialists are here for you. Our experienced, compassionate team is dedicated to helping you feel your best — from diagnosis to treatment and ongoing support — with personalized care you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q:Question: How do I schedule?
A:Answer:Call us or fill out a form online; no referral is needed for most patients. We’ll verify your insurance and walk you through the next steps.
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Q:Question: Do I need a referral to be seen?
A:Answer:Most patients do not need a referral, though some insurance plans may require one. Our team can help you check your benefits when you schedule.
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Q:Question: What happens at my first visit?
A:Answer:We review your symptoms and history, go over any prior testing/medications and outline the most useful tests (like EGD, pH monitoring, manometry or EndoFLIP®) so your plan meets your needs.
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Q:Question: How quickly will I get results?
A:Answer:Our program uses streamlined pathways and aims for quick turnaround on testing so you can move to a plan faster. Timelines can vary, however, by test and insurance.
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Q:Question: Will I need surgery?
A:Answer:Not necessarily. Many people improve with lifestyle and medications. Surgery or endoscopic procedures are considered only when your testing shows they’re appropriate. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way so you can make the best decision for your health.
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Q:Question: How do you know my treatment is working?
A:Answer:We track symptom relief and quality of life to keep your plan on target. Integrated heartburn centers like ours have reported better quality of life outcomes and shorter hospital stays with protocol-driven care.
Let Us Help You Feel Whole Again
Whether you’re experiencing new symptoms or want a second opinion on a diagnosis, our dedicated digestive health experts are here to help you find answers and a path forward. Request an appointment today to take charge of your health and get the personal support you need.