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Is Persistent Heartburn A Concern? ,
Happy Gentleman

Heartburn is an uncomfortable and painful sensation in the chest that can literally feel like you have swallowed hot coals. The condition is unpleasant and debilitating but will usually subside in a few hours. Everyone will experience heartburn from time to time, usually after a spicy, rich or fatty meal. If you experience heartburn more frequently, you could be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Signs and Symptoms of GERD

Your stomach contains incredibly powerful acids to break down food as part of the digestive process. Food is transferred from the mouth to your stomach via the esophagus. When stomach acid backs up the esophagus, it damages the delicate tissues and produces a tell-tale burning sensation. If you experience this on at least a weekly basis, you may have GERD.

GERD can produce other distressing symptoms, such as feeling that there is an obstruction in your throat or having difficulty swallowing. You may inadvertently regurgitate lumps of food or notice a sour taste in your mouth.

In some cases, GERD symptoms can worsen at night. Lying in reclined position, coupled with the stomach emptying food during the night, increases the likelihood that acids will wash up the esophagus. Pain and discomfort will bring about disrupted sleep that will leave you more irritable and moodier during the day. Irritation in the throat can lead to a chronic cough that is not connected to normal colds or flu. If you have asthma, you may notice these symptoms worsening.

Complications of GERD

GERD places severe restrictions on your overall quality of life. You might cancel plans with family and friends due to an attack of pain. Eating could become a source of stress, as you are unable to properly enjoy food due to anticipation of later discomfort. If you experience sleep disturbance, this could affect your performance at work and your interpersonal relationships. Left untreated, GERD can cause the esophagus to erode and develop painful ulcers. Changes to the delicate cell structures in the throat can also develop into esophageal cancer.

In many cases, GERD can be managed with minimally invasive treatments. Doctor David Yamini has many years of experience treating gastroenterological issues. He is ready to help from his Santa Monica and Beverly Hills offices today, so do not hesitate to call.

Posted on behalf of David P. Yamini, MD

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Our Patient Reviews

David P. Yamini, MD

4.9 / 5.0

Based on 58 reviews

Nicole R.

Scheduling was extremely easy with Dr. Yamini's staff, I scheduled my Tuesday appointment on Monday afternoon. The staff and Dr. Yamini were courteous and straightforward - even with new patient paperwork I was out the door within an hour!

Bill C.

Dr. Yamini definitely is a great doctor who is very thorough and detail oriented with his diagnosis. He is very passionate about what he does and was able to answer any question or concern. He took his time before my appointment to look through all the documentation to know exactly what was going on. He definitely was able to put me at ease even though I was very worried. I am very satisfied with his services. Thanks!

Mario O.

He was very gentle about my situation yet did not fail to emphasize about the seriousness that could arise from gastrointestinal problems. Few and far between are as professional and caring as Dr. Yamini and his staff. I was 20 minutes late on Friday evening & they still had me in a room in 5 minutes as a new patient.

Lisa P.

I can’t say enough great things about my first impression of this doctor and his amazing staff! They got me right in and set me up for everything needed. I’ve been looking for the right GI doctor for years having had a very negative experience with another doctor years ago. Dr. Yamini is not only professional, knowledgeable, respectful, and experienced... this guy is “cool” and nice too! His front desk person, Toni was amazing! She was kind, bright, efficient, patient, and positive! ??

Kendall S.

Makes talking about uncomfortable subjects a breeze. Competent and honest: doesn't sell vitamin cleanses and his own probiotics or anything like that. Makes sure your symptoms aren't half-fixed but fully fixed. Gets to the heart of the issue quickly. Good listener. Very sweet receptionist. I hate receiving many phone calls, and she's persistent about making sure you set up an appointment; it was stressing me out. I found the her much easier to connect with once she gave me her cell and said to text.

Babak E.

Thank you Dr. Yamini and Tony. When it comes to patient care and professionalism, I have never received this much care and attention from a physician and the staff. I was able to talk to Dr. Yamini for good period of time allowing me to ask all my questions. Tony you are so cute thank you for scheduling me in last minute.

Kyle K.

I highly recommend Dr. Yamini. He's very personable and actually listens to your issues and concerns, then recommends a reasonable course of action. He was able to properly diagnose my symptoms and get me healthy again. Also his admin Toni is great too, she will help select a facility and verify that your insurance will fully cover. She's really nice and trustworthy as well!

Eric W.

Thorough doctor who cares about his patients, and very meticulous about the details of your ailment. Clearly very knowledgeable and skilled. No wait time for appointments, and the nurse (Toni) is very friendly and follows up appropriately. One of the best doctor experiences I've had and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Office Hours

Monday

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Tuesday

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Wednesday

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Thursday

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Friday

8:30AM - 5:30PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

Contact Us

Santa Monica Office

Address
2001 Santa Monica Blvd #1286
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Phone
(310) 285-3005

FAX
(310) 935-1560

Beverly Hills Office

Address
8920 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 310
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Phone
(310) 953-3550

FAX
(310) 935-1560