Surgery for Heartburn:
An Excellent Alternative to Medicines

What is gerd?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is the reflux of gastric juice from the stomach back into the esophagus. This causes heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest usually after meals and when lying down. You may also experience a sour or bitter taste and the sensation of food re-entering your mouth (regurgitation). GERD can also cause chest pain, sore throat, trouble swallowing, coughing, hoarseness, trouble sleeping and asthma. A tremendous number of people suffer from GERD in North America: 36% have monthly symptoms, 7% have daily symptoms, and 3% have severe disease.

What is the medical treatment?

The first step in controlling the symptoms of GERD is changing your diet. Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, spicy foods, mints, citrus juices and other foods that worsen heartburn. Lifestyle changes can help, such as stopping smoking and limiting alcohol consumption. Avoid large meals and don’t lie down right after eating. Raise the head of your bed. Control your weight and loosen your clothing and belt. Finally, there are many medicines that decrease the acid in your stomach. Over-the-counter antacids like Tums and Rolaids will neutralize the acid in your stomach. Ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid) and some prescription medicines decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces. Most people with GERD can be successfully treated with diet and lifestyle changes and medications.

Surgical Treatment: Who and How?

Whereas medical treatment attempts to control the symptoms of reflux, surgery can cure reflux. Surgery is an excellent alternative to medical treatment in several situations. It should be considered for people who suffer with symptoms of GERD despite dietary/lifestyle changes and medicines. Others are unhappy with the inconveniences of these restrictions and the need for daily medicines, and opt for surgery. The medicines for GERD can be expensive and cause side effects. Chronic GERD can lead to complications such as ulcers, bleeding, and scarring and stricture of the esophagus. Finally, chronic GERD can cause changes in the lining of the esophagus that may predispose to cancer.

Traditional surgery for heartburn required a large abdominal or chest incision and a long hospital stay and recovery period. Using the newer videoscopic surgery, small incisions are made in the abdomen and the surgery is done with a video camera and small surgical instruments. This allows rapid recovery and short hospital stays. It can actually be done on an outpatient basis. Surgery can prevent reflux and cure symptoms in the appropriately selected person. For those interested in more information on GERD and the treatment options, the internet has many useful websites. Two such sites are www.heartburnhelp.com and www.heartburncenter.com.