GERD & COPD Services Offered in Frisco, TX
GERD
If you experience ongoing heartburn, you might have a condition called gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). The good news is that you don’t have to live with uncomfortable GERD symptoms. At Select Internal Medicine in Frisco, Texas, internal medicine physicians Humera Ahmed, MD, Dina Diehl, DO, and their skilled staff offer GERD treatments that help you feel more comfortable. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.
GERD Q & A
What is GERD?
GERD stands for gastrointestinal reflux disease. It’s a common condition that develops when stomach acid flows upward into your esophagus and irritates its lining. GERD is ongoing, causing acid reflux at least once or twice a week. Treatment can reduce unpleasant symptoms and your risk of esophageal cancer.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
Common symptoms associated with GERD include:
When left untreated, GERD can lead to complications like esophagus narrowing, precancerous changes to the esophagus, and painful sores in your esophagus.
What are the risk factors for GERD?
Frequent acid reflux is the cause of GERD. Common risk factors for developing it include:
Maintaining an ideal body weight and avoiding large meals and trigger foods are some ways to reduce the chance of developing GERD.
How does my provider diagnose GERD?
Your Select Internal Medicine provider lets you know if you have GERD after reviewing your medical history, lifestyle habits, and symptoms. They also check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and may order specific diagnostic tests. Examples include upper endoscopy, acid probe tests, and X-rays. Your provider then tailors a GERD treatment just for you.
How is GERD treated?
Common GERD treatments include over-the-counter or prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical procedures.
Avoid smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, get regular exercise, and eat nutritious foods. Elevate the head of your bed, and don’t lie down after eating large meals. You might avoid trigger foods, such as alcohol, chocolate, garlic, onion, fried foods, fatty foods, tomato sauce, mint, and caffeine. Don’t wear tight-fitted clothing.
Surgery and other procedures can tighten the junction between your stomach and esophagus to reduce or prevent acid reflux. Your Select Internal Medicine provider refers you to a specialist if you need surgery.
COPD
If you wheeze, cough, and struggle to get a full breath of air, turn to the internal medicine physicians at Select Internal Medicine in Frisco, Texas. Humera Ahmed, MD, Dina Diehl, DO, and their skilled staff diagnose and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to help you breathe easier. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or book one online today.
COPD Q & A
What is COPD?
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a common inflammatory lung disease that causes airflow obstruction. Often caused by smoking, untreated COPD can lead to troublesome symptoms that may diminish your quality of life. Call the Select Internal Medicine office if you suspect you have COPD or need treatment for this bothersome condition.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Some of the most common COPD symptoms include:
You may not notice any symptoms of COPD until you have moderate or severe lung damage. COPD can progressively worsen over time if you continue to smoke or have ongoing exposure to toxic fumes.
When left untreated, COPD may lead to complications like respiratory infections, heart problems, high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs, lung cancer, or depression.
What are the risk factors for COPD?
Factors that increase your risk of having COPD include:
To reduce your chance of COPD, don’t smoke and avoid exposure to polluted air or chemical fumes when possible.
How does my doctor diagnose COPD?
To diagnose COPD and develop an effective treatment, your Select Internal Medicine specialist reviews your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history. They check your vital signs, listen to your heart and breathing, and complete a physical exam.
Your concierge medicine provider may also order chest X-rays, lab tests, lung-function testing, or other tests to confirm a diagnosis, as well as the severity of COPD.
How is COPD treated?
If you have COPD, your Select Internal Medicine provider recommends not smoking, avoiding second-hand smoke exposure, and using an inhaler when needed – especially during exercise.
You may need oral medications, in-home ventilation, oxygen therapy, or pulmonary rehabilitation. Adopt healthy habits that include eating nutritious foods and getting regular exercise. You might require more than one type of treatment.
Your Select Internal Medicine provider tailors each COPD treatment to give you the best quality of life possible.