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Acid Reflux Treatment Specialist

Jeffrey H. Sherman, MD -  - Gastroenterologist

Jeffrey H. Sherman, MD

Gastroenterologist located in Los Angeles, CA

Acid reflux can cause painful symptoms, and left untreated, chronic disease can cause serious medical issues including cancer. Dr. Sherman helps patients manage acid reflux with state-of-the-art treatment options so they can reduce their risk of serious medical issues and enjoy optimal health.

Acid Reflux Treatment Q & A

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition that affects the opening at the end of your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. The LES is a muscular opening that keeps food in your stomach and prevents it from refluxing, or moving backward, into the esophagus and throat. When the LES becomes weak or other wise malfunctions, chronic acid reflux can occur resulting in a condition called gastrointestinal reflux disease, or GERD. Acid reflux and GERD can cause symptoms like pain or burning in the upper stomach and lower chest area, hoarseness and sore throat.

What causes acid reflux?

Acid reflux can be caused by several factors, including obesity, pregnancy (when the expanding belly pushes the stomach upward) and hiatal hernias (hernias that develop in the diaphragm, the muscle that moves your lungs when you breathe). Spicy or fried foods and caffeinated or carbonated beverages can also cause acid reflux, and smoking can also contribute to acid reflux and the development of GERD.

How is acid reflux treated?

In many cases, avoiding foods known to cause symptoms can help, as well as quitting smoking. Dr. Sherman can provide you with special medications that can help control the production of stomach acid or help neutralize it. Depending on your symptoms, he may also order an endoscopy, a simple outpatient procedure that uses a long, flexible scope with a tiny camera to see inside your digestive tract and take tissue samples for further evaluation if necessary.

What problems does acid reflux cause?

Left untreated, acid reflux can eventually cause degradation of the esophagus resulting in painful sores and permanent tissue changes called Barrett's esophagus. People with Barrett's esophagus have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer, and having reflux symptoms evaluated and managed is an important part of decreasing your risks.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

We accept most major insurance plans, however, at this time, we are not providers for any HMO plans. We will gladly bill your insurance plans for you, however, you will be responsible for any co-pays and/or deductibles.

Please familiarize yourself with your plans policies for GI care. Pre-certification may be required prior to treatment or testing. All billing inquiries should be directed to our office during normal business hours.


  Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross of California
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (Florida Blue)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York