There are a number of ways to treat GERD symptoms and give you back control over your life. Once you have completed the recommended diagnostic testing, our Heartburn Center providers can walk you through both non-surgical and surgical options and develop a customized treatment plan that works for you.
To learn more about available treatment options, contact the Fairfield Medical Heartburn Center at 740-689-6486 to schedule a nurse consultation.
You may be able to control your GERD symptoms simply by making some changes to your daily life.
Since chronic reflux does not resolve itself, long-term medication therapy can be effective in controlling the symptoms of GERD. Although most medications are available over-the-counter, speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication. If these medications are not providing you with relief, your healthcare provider may need to write you a prescription to better control your symptoms.
Medications work in two ways – either by neutralizing stomach acid or suppressing it. It’s important to note that while over-the-counter medication can be effective in controlling GERD symptoms by reducing the production of acid, it does not stop reflux. Most GERD patients who choose medication as a form of treatment will need to take these medications for life, so it’s important to consider the effectiveness and expense with your healthcare provider.
Antacids neutralize stomach acid and provide fast, but short-term, relief from occasional heartburn.
H2 blockers can be obtained over-the-counter and are effective at reducing acid production in the stomach.
Proton pump inhibitors are a step up from H2 blockers in terms of decreasing stomach acid production. PPIs are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
If lifestyle modifications and medications are not controlling symptoms to your satisfaction, surgery may be a potential solution. Some patients may choose surgery because medication therapy has been ineffective or is too expensive. Surgery also can be considered for those who are concerned about disease progression or want to avoid lifetime medications. We encourage you to ask questions about both options and involve your primary care provider in your journey, so that he or she can help you make an informed decision about your healthcare.
The Nissen is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that reconstructs the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) – repairing the LES to serve as a one-way valve and stop the reflux. During a Nissen fundoplication, the surgeon reconstructs the malfunctioning valve by loosely wrapping a part of the stomach around the esophagus.
There are a number of benefits to the Nissen. Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, you should experience less pain, a shorter hospital stay, a quicker recovery, a lower risk of infection and minimal scarring. A successful laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication may eliminate or greatly reduce GERD symptoms and the need for medications, as it anatomically corrects the problem that was causing your reflux.
The LINX® System includes a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores that is placed laparoscopically around the esophagus just above the stomach. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. The LINX® band is designed so that swallowing temporarily breaks the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach. Magnetic attraction of the device is designed to close the LES immediately after swallowing, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux.
Congratulations to FMC’s Heartburn Center for performing 100 LINX procedures. The 100th procedure was performed on May 20th by Jeffrey Yenchar, M.D., medical director of the Heartburn Center.
End the suffering and sleepless nights – call the Fairfield Medical Heartburn Center at 740-689-6486 to schedule a nurse consultation.