Expert Acidity & GERD Treatment in Bathinda — Stop Suffering from Pait Ki Jalan

Acidity (pait ki jalan) is one of the most common complaints seen by gastroenterologists in India. Almost everyone experiences acidity at some point, but when it becomes frequent, severe, or starts affecting your daily life, it is time to see a specialist. Dr. Raman Garg at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda — the best gastroenterologist in South Punjab — provides complete diagnosis and treatment for acidity, GERD, and related disorders.

What is Acidity? Understanding GERD

Acidity occurs when stomach acid rises back into the oesophagus (food pipe). The stomach produces acid to digest food, but when the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) — the valve between the stomach and oesophagus — weakens or relaxes inappropriately, acid flows upward causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is the clinical name for chronic acid reflux occurring more than twice a week. It is a disease requiring proper treatment — not just temporary antacid use.

Symptoms of Acidity and GERD

• Heartburn (pait/seene ki jalan): Burning sensation rising from stomach to chest and throat — the most classic symptom
• Acid regurgitation: Sour or bitter liquid coming up into the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): Feeling that food is stuck
• Chest pain: Can mimic heart attack — needs proper evaluation
• Chronic cough: Especially at night — acid reaching the throat and airways
• Hoarseness or sore throat: From acid damaging the vocal cords
• Bloating and belching
• Nausea, especially in the morning
• Feeling of fullness soon after eating
• Bad breath (halitosis): From acid in the mouth

Causes of Acidity & GERD

• Weak or relaxed lower oesophageal sphincter (LES)
• Hiatal hernia — stomach pushing up through the diaphragm Read more →
• Obesity — increased abdominal pressure
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Certain medications (NSAIDs, aspirin, calcium channel blockers)
• Dietary triggers (spicy food, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, citrus)
• Eating large meals or lying down right after eating
• Stress and anxiety
• H. pylori infection

Why Untreated GERD is Dangerous — Complications

Many people ignore chronic acidity and keep taking over-the-counter antacids. This is dangerous because long-term untreated GERD can cause:

• Oesophagitis: Inflammation and erosion of the oesophageal lining — bleeding, ulcers
• Oesophageal Stricture: Narrowing of the oesophagus from scar tissue — difficulty swallowing
• Barrett's Oesophagus: Precancerous change in the oesophageal lining — requires endoscopic surveillance
• Oesophageal Cancer: Long-term Barrett's oesophagus can develop into oesophageal adenocarcinoma — one of the fastest-growing cancers
• Respiratory problems — chronic cough, asthma, pneumonia from aspirated acid
• Dental erosion from acid in the mouth

Acidity & GERD Treatment by Dr. Raman Garg

Step 1: Accurate Diagnosis

Dr. Garg takes a detailed history and may advise:

• Upper GI Endoscopy (OGD Scope): Direct visualisation of oesophagus and stomach — identifies oesophagitis, hiatal hernia, Barrett's, ulcers Read more →
• Barium Swallow / Oesophageal Manometry: Studies oesophageal motility and LES function
• pH Study (24-hour ambulatory pH monitoring): Measures acid exposure in the oesophagus
• H. pylori Testing: Breath test or endoscopy biopsy

Step 2: Medical Treatment

• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole — most effective acid-suppressant medications. Used for 4–8 weeks for oesophagitis, long-term for GERD maintenance.
• H2 Blockers: Ranitidine (now withdrawn), famotidine — milder acid reducers
• Antacids: For immediate symptom relief only — not treatment
• Prokinetics: To improve gastric emptying and LES tone
• H. pylori Eradication: Triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy if H. pylori is present

Step 3: Lifestyle Modifications

• Weight loss if overweight
• Eat small, frequent meals — avoid large meals
• Avoid lying down for 2–3 hours after eating
• Elevate head of bed by 15–20 cm
• Avoid trigger foods (coffee, spicy/fried food, alcohol, citrus, chocolate)
• Quit smoking
• Wear loose-fitting clothing
• Manage stress (yoga, meditation)

Step 4: Surgical Treatment (Permanent Cure)

For patients with:

• Large hiatal hernia
• GERD not responding to medications
• Patients who don't want lifelong medications
• Complications (oesophagitis, Barrett's)

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication is the gold-standard surgical cure for GERD. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the LES to reinforce it. Most patients stop all antacid medications permanently after this surgery. Read full details about GERD surgical treatment →

Frequently Asked Questions — Acidity Treatment Bathinda