Acid reflux & heartburn
Heartburn affects one in four adults every month. Most cases are easily managed — the skill is in recognising the ones that are not, and proving what is actually causing the symptoms.
What acid reflux is
A valve at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach normally keeps stomach contents where they belong. When it fails to do its job — often in the presence of a hiatus hernia — acid escapes upwards. The result may be classic heartburn and regurgitation, but reflux also causes chest pain, chronic cough, throat clearing, a hoarse voice and disturbed sleep, sometimes without any burning at all (so‑called silent reflux).
When it needs a specialist
Occasional heartburn responding to simple measures rarely needs investigation. See a gastroenterologist if symptoms occur more than twice a week, keep returning when treatment stops, don't respond fully to acid‑suppressing medication, or are dominated by throat and voice symptoms where the diagnosis is uncertain.
How Dr Zeki investigates reflux
The common mistake in reflux care is years of tablets without a diagnosis. Dr Zeki's approach is to measure:
- Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus directly, identifies inflammation or a hiatus hernia, and excludes Barrett's oesophagus and other causes.
- BRAVO wireless pH monitoring — a small capsule placed painlessly during gastroscopy records acid exposure for up to 96 hours while you live normally. No tube, and the highest diagnostic yield when reflux is suspected but unproven.
- pH‑impedance testing detects non‑acid as well as acid reflux and links each episode to your symptoms — crucial when tablets haven't worked.
- High‑resolution manometry assesses how the oesophagus moves, and is essential before any anti‑reflux surgery is considered.
Treatment
Treatment is matched to the findings: targeted lifestyle change and dietary guidance, optimised medication, and — for the minority who need it — referral for anti‑reflux procedures with the confidence of complete physiological work‑up. Where reflux has caused Barrett's oesophagus, Dr Zeki provides surveillance and endoscopic therapy himself.
Seeing Dr Zeki
Consultations take place on Tuesdays at HCA UK at The Shard, with testing and endoscopy at London Bridge Hospital — usually within days. Call 020 3301 4916 or email Dr Zeki's secretary to book. Fees and insurers.