Putting An End To Acid Reflux

ContriButed By st. Joseph’s health

Heartburn is a very common condition that most people experience from time-to-time, but for those who suffer on a regular basis, it may be time to speak with a doctor. It has been reported that more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn (or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) at least once a month, but most are able to control it with over-the-counter medications and simple lifestyle changes.

“However, for many, GERD can be extremely painful and uncomfortable, significantly affecting quality of life, day-to-day activities, food choices and even social activities,” says Toghrul Talishinskiy, MD, director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery and surgical director of the Heartburn Center at St. Joseph’s Health.

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“It is also important to realize that untreated prolonged GERD can cause significant damage to the esophagus, cavities in your teeth and may increase chances of esophageal cancer.”

The most common symptom of reflux disease is heartburn, but reflux disease can produce a wide variety of symptoms, including hoarseness, sore throat, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, asthma and regurgitation. The good news is there are several treatment options available.

According to Dr. Talishinskiy, for individuals who suffer from occasional heartburn, the following tips can be useful:

1. Maintain a healthy weight. Eating healthy and exercising are instrumental in reducing painful heartburn symptoms. Incorporate more whole foods in your diet, along with 30 minutes of exercise a day.

2. Avoid fried, spicy and citrus foods along with coffee, tea and soda. Foods such as pizza and other fast food should also be avoided. These items are high in acidity and often the root cause of heartburn.

3. Stop smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes can interfere with your digestive system, which can lead to acid reflux.

4. Elevate your head. If your symptoms tend to occur when you are sleeping, try sleeping with two pillows so that your esophagus is above your stomach.

5. The quantity and timing of your meals is also important. Avoiding large portions and eating late in the evening may be beneficial.

Dr. Talishinskiy urges everyone to take GERD seriously by initiating a discussion with their primary doctor first. Most physicians will begin by asking general questions regarding how long you have been experiencing GERD, how certain meals affect you and the affect it has on your sleep. Be sure to discuss any medications with your doctor as well.

The St. Joseph’s Heartburn Center is made up of a multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists and surgeons specifically trained in diagnosing and treating heartburn and all associated conditions. Physicians have access to the latest technology and tests, such as upper endoscopy, swallow study and esophageal manometry study, to determine if the esophagus is working properly. EndoFlip devices can also be used to measures the area across the inside of the esophagus and the pressure inside it. This procedure is typically performed while a patient is already sedated for an endoscopy.

Most of the time, heartburn is treated with conservative measures, such as avoiding trigger foods, weight loss and maybe some medications. However, there can be certain anatomical causes, such as hernias or masses, manifesting itself as GERD. Certain medications, smoking and even weight gain can also cause symptoms of heartburn.

“Underlying causes of the heartburn will determine appropriate treatment modalities and a tailored approach to each patient which is what sets the St. Joseph’s Health Heartburn Center apart,” says Dr. Talishinskiy.

The expert team at St. Joseph’s Health provides all the necessary diagnostic lab and imaging tests in the shortest possible time to provide a treatment that is right for each patient.

If nothing seems to be working, including overthe-counter or prescribed acid reflux medications, experts at St. Joseph’s Health provide a wide array of outpatient minimally invasive treatments, such as Laparoscopic Fundoplication, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication and the LINX® Magnetic System.

Laparoscopic Fundoplication is standard treatment for GERD with excellent track record of safety and effectiveness.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is an endoscopic procedure that restores the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve between the esophagus and the stomach) by wrapping the stomach around the esophagus.

The LINX Reflux Management system is another treatment option and involves the implementation of a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores designed to restore the body’s natural barrier to reflux in patients with GERD.

After treatment with LINX, 99 percent of patients no longer experienced regurgitation and over 85 percent were free of heartburn, and no longer needed daily reflux medication.

The procedure is performed minimally invasively using small incisions on an outpatient basis. The procedure takes about one hour, and patients can go home the same day. Usually, patients can resume their normal diet shortly after and can resume normal activities that does not require heavy lifting after surgery.

After any procedure, physicians, along with a dietician, work closely with each patient to come up with an appropriate diet plan to further aid patients in their recovery.

If you suffer from frequent episodes of heartburn or acid reflux, please consult with your physician. If you would like to learn more about the Heartburn Center, call 973-720-6766.

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