Virginia Hospital Center has been at the forefront of gastroenterology—the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts—throughout its history. Ours was the first hospital in Northern Virginia to offer capsule endoscopy and remains a leader in delivering high-tech services. This rich history is one of the many reasons Virginia Hernia Institute operates here.

Benefits of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center include:

• Private rooms for patients and families
• State-of-the-art technology
• Highly trained staff of eighteen registered nurses, ten GI technicians, and fourteen physician specialists
• Both a GI technician and a registered nurse are required to be present at every procedure
• Simple registration process, reduced waiting times, and emphasis on patient comfort
• Convenient location with easy parking access
• Consistently high scores in patient satisfaction surveys

The Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center offers the following procedures for diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases:

• Upper Endoscopy (EGD) - a screening of the upper GI tract for diseases and disorders such as chronic heartburn (acid reflux) and Barrett's Esophagus (a precancerous condition caused by chronic acid reflux).
• Colonoscopy - "The gold standard in screening for colon cancer," Dr. Gupta states.
• Endoscopic Retrograde (ERCP) - a procedure that enables visualization of the biliary ducts to screen for and diagnose both tumors and stones. The procedure can also be used to remove stones that have lodged in the common bile duct, and to place stents—small metal and plastic inserts—which will keep ducts open and functioning.
• 24-hour Monitoring for Acid Reflux - physicians correlate the patient's recorded observations with the results of the pH monitor, to determine how fluctuations in acidity relate to symptoms.
• Capsule Endoscopy, which diagnoses diseases in the small intestine (Virginia Hospital Center was the first Hospital in Northern Virginia to offer capsule endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound)
• Esophageal Motility - monitors swallowing problems and atypical chest pain.

Heartburn relief that's permanent

Digestive enzymes that travel back up into the esophagus can cause symptoms such as a burning chest pain or pressure, cough, hoarseness, asthma, regurgitation or a constant lump-in-the-throat sensation. The new Heartburn Center at Virginia Hospital Center offers two studies to assess gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and optimal courses of treatment. One test measures swallowing and valve function in the esophagus, while the other records the frequency and nature of reflux episodes over a 24-hour period.

Most individuals with acid reflux can be, and are, treated successfully with medication and minor behavioral modifications. When these measures don't work, many individuals assume their reflux is caused by what they eat and the discomfort and pain is untreatable and just something they have to live with.

Your return to a normal life without food restrictions starts here with a better understanding of what causes heartburn and what can be done to provide relief that is permanent.

Terms used


Terms used in this page that you might find worth exploring.

Upper Endoscopy Colonoscopy Endoscopic Retrograde Capsule Endoscopy Esophageal Motility


Where can I go to get help for my Heartburn/GERD?

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The Heartburn Center at Virginia Hospital Center

Surgeon: G. Kevin Gillian, MD , Director

1625 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22205

Phone: 703.717.GERD (4373)