Acid Reflux Disease / GERD
Understanding GERD
If you are one of 60 million Americans that experience GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), you know it's more that just heartburn. GERD symptons can be extremely painful. In addition to heartburn, symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, chronic sore throat or cough, and choking. These painful symptoms can strike especially after eating, at night or when you lie down. Many people with GERD experience sleepless nights and often avoid favorite foods. Most patients rely on at least one daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication to help manage symptoms.
Options in treating GERD
Medication
Over-the-counter remedies, such as antacids, H-2 receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors and prescription-strength medications such as prescription-strength H-2 receptor blockers, prescription-strength proton pump inhibitors or prokinetic agents can work for many people. However, they can be expensive and it can be difficult to remember to take them all the time. People who rely on pills to treat their GERD symptoms may need to take them on a continuous basis. And they may also need to continue to make lifestyle changes and give up certain foods.
Surgery:
Surgery is another option. With laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision and uses a laparoscope, which is a long, pencil-thin scope with a fiber-optic camera that relays video images to a high-definittion TV monitor. Through seperate incisions, the surgeon inserts specialized miniature instruments that can cut, sew, staple or in other ways, manipulate areas of operation. The main advantage of laparoscopic surgery is patients experience less postoperative pain, recovery more quickly and have a shorter stay in the hospital when compared to open surgeries. As with all procedures, laparoscopic surgery has risks, which may include complications and side effects.
Endoscopic procedures:
There are endoscopic procedures designed to provide options to patients who are successfully treated with daily PPI medication. During this type of treatment, an endoscope is used to perform a procedure with one of the following techniques: placing stitches and pleats in the upper stomach, using energy to treat the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), or injecting a solution into and around the LES to create a more effective barrier against reflux. As with all procedures, endoscopic procedures have risks, which may include complications and side effects.
