• About IDDC
  • ABOUT US

    WHO WE ARE

    IDDC is dedicated to provide high quality care to the patients with gastrointestinal conditions.

    WHY IDDC?

    We take pride in providing quality care and ensuring an excellent healthcare experience. We seek to continuously improve the health of our patients and the personal service that we render through compassionate care.

    MISSION AND VISION

    At IDDC, our mission is to provide the best care at the best price with the best outcomes. We strive to provide compassionate services to our patients and consistency to our referring providers.

    OUR PROVIDERS

    Our board certified providers and staff are available to provide you with quality and comprehensive digestive care. We provide coverage for 5 local hospitals with consultative support and hospital-based procedures.

  • SERVICES

    WHAT WE DO

    We offer comprehensive diagnose and treatment options for the full spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders.

    CONDITIONS

    IDDC physicians are available for outpatient office consultations.

    • Diagnosis for GI conditions
    • High quality patient care

    PROCEDURES

    State-of-the-art facilities designed to offer high-quality health care.

    • Colon cancer screening
    • Advanced endoscopic therapies

    CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

    Our Centers of Excellence are the gold standard in complex digestive care.

    • Better patient experience
    • Evidence-based clinical quality
  • PATIENT INFO

    WHAT TO EXPECT

    Not sure what to expect when you visit our practice? Visit links on the right for more information.

    PRIOR TO YOUR VISIT

    New patients should arrive 30 minutes before their appointment, allowing time for our office staff to process paperwork. For your convenience, you can also download our forms online.

    INSURANCE & PAYMENT

    The Iowa Digestive Disease Center accepts insurance plans from major carriers. Please feel free to call our billing office at 515-288-6097 or call your insurer to verify coverage.

    PATIENT FORMS

    To download the forms and information you need, simply visit the form section below. For added convenience, our forms can be downloaded and saved for future use..

  • CONTACT US

    HOW TO FIND US

    Address, phone information and directions to our office

    LOCATION INFORMATION

    The main campus for Iowa Digestive Disease Center and Iowa Endoscopy Center is located just north of Iowa Heart Center at 1378 NW 124th Street in Clive.

    APPOINTMENT REQUEST

    Our healthcare services are provided by appointment. All appointments can be scheduled by calling our office or using our online secure patient portal.

    REFERRING PROVIDERS

    Partnering with you and your patients remains a priority for Iowa Digestive Disease Center and we are grateful for your trust as we strive to best serve you, your patients and their families.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Barrett’s Esophagus and Ablation Therapies

Key points:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease is very common, affecting 20% of Americans.
  • Classic symptoms include heartburn and regurgitation. Other symptoms may include chest discomfort, asthma and/or a cough.
  • Treatment can include lifestyle changes, over-the-counter or prescription medications, surgery and possibly endoscopic therapies.
  • Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the lining of the esophagus caused by chronic acid reflux and can only be detected by upper endoscopy with biopsy.
  • Barrett’s esophagus is associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma (a type of cancer of the esophagus).
  • Esophageal adenocarcinoma has been increasing in frequency in the U.S. over the past 30 years.
  • Individuals with longstanding reflux should be screened via endoscopy for Barrett’s esophagus
  • Early detection and treatment is highly desirable as this is a potentially lethal malignancy.

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents (including acid) causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications including damage to the lining of the esophagus. It is estimated that GERD affects up to 20% of adults in the U.S. who experience symptoms on a daily to weekly basis.

What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux?

The most common and typical symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the lower chest just behind the breastbone that can extend upward; it is worsened by bending or lying down. Regurgitation is the sensation of food or sour liquid refluxing back into the esophagus. Individuals with these classic symptoms have a straightforward diagnosis. However, symptoms may be varied and also include: chest discomfort (which may be difficult to discern from cardiac-related pain), asthma, cough, nausea, bad breath and chronic hoarseness.

How is GERD treated?

Initial treatment of GERD includes lifestyle modifications, dietary changes and over-the-counter antacids. Elevating the head of the bed and refraining from eating at least two hours before bedtime can be helpful for those with nighttime symptoms. Dietary changes include avoiding overeating, particularly acidic and fat-laden foods, and eliminating or reducing smoking and alcohol consumption. Specific foods, such as chocolate, peppermints and tomato products, can exacerbate symptoms, but sensitivities vary widely among patients. Obesity is strongly associated with both GERD and its complications and weight loss is recommended.

For individuals who do not have adequate symptom improvement with the above lifestyle alterations, medications may be necessary. These include histamine 2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which are available over the counter and by prescription. Patients who have frequent GERD symptoms or use these OTC medications regularly should see a physician. Proton pump inhibitors decrease gastric acid secretion more completely and are used more often in patients with more severe GERD.

Surgical therapy is available for those who do not respond to lifestyle and medication therapy or who do not wish to remain on medications. Surgery consists of wrapping the top of the stomach to reform the natural acid barrier and fixing the defect in the diaphragm and hiatal hernia if present. This type of surgery is called a fundoplication. Surgical therapy and medical therapy are generally equally effective. The decision of medical versus surgical therapy depends on how well the patient is likely to tolerate surgery, their response to medical therapy and the underlying causes of the GERD. In addition, there are several endoscopic treatments for GERD. However, these are still relatively new and, for the most part, unproven or still investigational.

What are the complications of gastroesophageal reflux?

Complications of acid reflux can include esophageal strictures (narrowing), ulcerations and Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous change in the lining of the esophagus. Symptoms of complications of GERD include: dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (pain upon swallowing), refractory heartburn, anemia, vomiting or weight loss. Any of these symptoms merit seeing a doctor for further care. At that time, the individual should undergo an upper endoscopy to help evaluate the source of the problem.

CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

InFusion Center

Infusion therapy is performed when a patient does not respond well to other treatment methods.

Endoscopy Center

Iowa Endoscopy Center is a free standing Ambulatory Surgery Center dedicated to gastro-intestinal endoscopy.

Therapeutics Center

Advanced therapeutics begin when standard endoscopic procedures no longer serve the patient.

IBD Center

A multi disciplinary center of excellence for adults and children with Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.