Acid Reflux Defeated

You are not alone, as the late great Michael Jackson once sang. Well, at least, you are not alone when it comes to suffering from the symptoms of acid reflux because 25 million other Americans must bear the pains of heartburn, nausea and regurgitations on a daily basis. Some of these sufferers will opt for acid reflux surgery, just like you will when certain conditions are met.

Still, that’s little comfort when the GERD symptoms do attack your well-being. And we are not just talking about heartburn here but also recurrent vomiting and coughing as well as other respiratory concerns, all of which may contribute to significant failure to thrive in your personal and professional life.

First Resort

However, before contemplating surgical procedures, you must consider first lines of defense in your fight against acid reflux. Keep in mind that surgery of any kind, whether it’s invasive or non-invasive, major or minor, is usually the last resort in a doctor’s arsenal of treatment options.

Your doctor will delay doing acid reflux surgery until the following treatment options have been explored and exhausted:

• Lifestyle changes that often involves the reduction of stress as well as the avoidance of habits that trigger acid reflux. Also, quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol is highly recommended. Besides, it’s best to follow this advice as it can benefit your overall health.

• Dietary changes that mean avoiding foods like chocolate, spicy and fatty foods as well as caffeinated drinks.

• Medical interventions like antacids, histamine antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, pro-motility drugs and foam barriers.

Now, when all these first lines of defense fail to treat GERD, then acid reflux surgery will be considered. Of course, you don’t make this decision for yourself as your doctor will supervise it.

Last Resort

The last and the most effective treatment option for severe cases is fundoplication. Take note, however, that it may or may not be a lifetime treatment depending on your case. Studies have pointed out its efficacy in more than 90 percent of cases, of which positive results can still be enjoyed even after 10 years post-surgery.

Also, you can usually go about your business one to two weeks after the operation, shorter if you opt for the non-invasive laparoscopic fundoplication. There will be complications after the acid reflux surgery in two to four percent of cases, of which food sticking to the artificial sphincter is the most common. However, don’t worry as it is a temporary problem in most cases.

And that’s where the minority of post-surgery problems come from. When said problem takes on a more permanent nature, another medical procedure may be necessary to correct it. This time, endoscopic techniques will be used that basically tightens the sphincter area either through suturing or applications of radio-frequency waves or injection of materials into the LES area. You must thoroughly discuss all of these surgical options as, of course, each one will have its complications. After all, you want to solve a health problem, not add to your medical worries or even financial costs, right?

Indeed, acid reflux surgery may be your last hope for treating your esophagus-stomach disorder. Still, you must consider other non-invasive treatments because it is almost always best to let your body heal naturally, with a little help from its friends – yourself, your doctor and nature.

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