Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
miVIP Surgery Centers provide the latest, comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for gastrointestinal disorders
Heartburn and acid reflux – common conditions that need to be taken seriously
Heartburn (also called acid indigestion) and acid reflux are common digestive conditions experienced by millions of people every day. They occur when bile or stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, inflaming or irritating the esophageal lining. This can cause a burning sensation that rises from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest, and sometimes even into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.
In addition to heartburn, other acid reflux symptoms can include regurgitation and dyspepsia. Regurgitation is the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. It often produces a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, or even a "wet burp" or vomit. Dyspepsia, a general term for stomach discomfort, includes such symptoms as burping, nausea after eating, stomach fullness or bloating, and upper abdominal pain and discomfort.
If you experience any of these symptoms more than twice a week, it’s time to see a doctor. You may have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease – or GERD.
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition marked by a back flow of food and stomach acid into the lower esophagus caused by a weakening in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The job of the LES is to close off the space between the lower esophagus and the stomach. This doesn’t happen in people with GERD, however, and their stomach contents regurgitate up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation. Left untreated, GERD symptoms can worsen over time and possibly develop into more serious conditions. Thus, an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan is critical.
miVIP surgeons have a comprehensive array of advanced diagnostic methods at their disposal – all offered in an outpatient setting.
One way to determine the underlying cause of GERD is through a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). An EGD, which involves inserting a small camera through the esophagus and into the stomach to view the inside of the upper GI tract, is essential in helping miVIP surgeons determine how best to treat the disease.
Another important diagnostic component, Bravo pH monitoring is connected at the time of the EGD to track the frequency and duration of acid reflux along with symptom correlation over a 48-hour period.
In addition, high-resolution manometry testing with the latest equipment can quantitatively determine if and when the LES is not working properly, and the overall movement of the esophagus.
What causes GERD?
While anyone can develop GERD, certain factors – such as over eating, pregnancy, diet, hiatal hernia and family history – increase your chances of developing the condition.
Common GERD symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chronic sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, wheezing, chest pain and acid regurgitation. Acid reflux sufferers also may experience dysphagia, a narrowing of your esophagus that creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat; bloody or black stools; bloody vomit; persistent hiccups; and/or unexplained weight loss.
All GERD symptoms can range in intensity from minor to severe depending on each specific case. It’s critically important to treat minor and severe symptoms in order to prevent extensive damage.
Another reason early diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is crucial is because, if left untreated, GERD can develop into complications and more serious GI conditions, including esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
What are my treatment options?
It is important to address the underlying causes of GERD, not just “put a band-aid” on the symptoms. Generally, the first line of treatment involves lifestyle adjustments. Maintaining a healthy weight, as well as avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and certain foods can help alleviate the disorder. Moreover, pregnant women’s symptoms may subside after delivery.
If damage has already been done to the esophageal tissue, an antibiotic or proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may be prescribed. This generally is not considered a permanent solution, however, because: (1) the medicines currently available to alleviate GERD symptoms don’t treat the underlying problem – a weak sphincter; and (2) long-term use of GERD medications (including antacids) is known to have such side effects as osteoporosis, low magnesium levels affecting the heart and susceptibility to infectious colitis (all established by the FDA), and is associated with significantly higher risk of esophageal cancer.
If these approaches don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery.
miVIP Surgery Centers offer minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures performed in an outpatient setting for several GI conditions, including:
LINX® System, a revolutionary, new surgical technology in the treatment of GERD. LINX is the only available device approved by the FDA to be both safe and effective for the treatment of GERD. It consists of a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the LES resist opening to gastric pressure, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. LINX is intended for patients with a chronic history of GERD and an unsatisfactory response to other GERD treatments.
Hiatal hernia repair surgery, the only remedy for severe GERD symptoms caused by a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm up into the chest. This allows food and acid to back up into the esophagus, leading to heartburn or acid reflux.
Hiatal hernia repair surgery involves tightening the junction between the stomach and esophagus. The surgery usually is done by pulling the stomach back below the diaphragm and wrapping the top of the stomach around the junction between the stomach and esophagus, then sewing the stomach in place.
Nissen fundoplication, the most common type of GERD surgery.
In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter, reducing the likelihood that acid will back up into the esophagus.
Minimally invasive procedures to treat GI problems
miVIP Surgery Centers offer the latest minimally invasive procedures performed in an outpatient setting, including robotic surgery, to diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions. In minimally invasive procedures (also known as keyhole or laparoscopic surgery), tiny, physician-guided instruments are inserted into one or more dime-sized incisions to perform the process. This typically means less blood loss, postoperative pain and scarring, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time.
It’s important to note that “robotic” or “robotically-assisted” does not mean a robot will perform your procedure. Your surgeon is 100 percent in control throughout robotic surgery.
Robotics give miVIPs highly trained surgeons a technical advantage by providing enhanced capabilities, including high-definition, 3-D vision and a magnified view to translate their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments within the operative site. These capabilities ensure the highest level of precision and accuracy in performing surgical procedures.
As with any surgical procedure, benefits cannot be guaranteed. Successful outcomes depend on the procedure and the patient.
Further ensuring the highest level of personalized patient care and attention, miVIP’s dedicated heartburn and acid reflux center assigns a personal patient care advocate and program coordinator to each patient. In addition, miVIP patients enjoy the convenience and stress-reducing benefits of “one-stop” access to a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for GI conditions – all under one roof.
What’s my next step?
miVIP Surgery Centers are dedicated to providing our patients with the high-quality medical treatment they deserve in an outpatient setting. Call us today to learn more about the comprehensive diagnostic and treatments available at our dedicated heartburn and acid reflux center – 855-496-4847 (855-49-miVIP).
miVIP Surgery Centers provide the latest, comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options for gastrointestinal disorders
Heartburn and acid reflux – common conditions that need to be taken seriously
Heartburn (also called acid indigestion) and acid reflux are common digestive conditions experienced by millions of people every day. They occur when bile or stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, inflaming or irritating the esophageal lining. This can cause a burning sensation that rises from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest, and sometimes even into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.
In addition to heartburn, other acid reflux symptoms can include regurgitation and dyspepsia. Regurgitation is the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. It often produces a sour or bitter taste in your mouth, or even a "wet burp" or vomit. Dyspepsia, a general term for stomach discomfort, includes such symptoms as burping, nausea after eating, stomach fullness or bloating, and upper abdominal pain and discomfort.
If you experience any of these symptoms more than twice a week, it’s time to see a doctor. You may have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease – or GERD.
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition marked by a back flow of food and stomach acid into the lower esophagus caused by a weakening in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The job of the LES is to close off the space between the lower esophagus and the stomach. This doesn’t happen in people with GERD, however, and their stomach contents regurgitate up into the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation. Left untreated, GERD symptoms can worsen over time and possibly develop into more serious conditions. Thus, an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan is critical.
miVIP surgeons have a comprehensive array of advanced diagnostic methods at their disposal – all offered in an outpatient setting.
One way to determine the underlying cause of GERD is through a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). An EGD, which involves inserting a small camera through the esophagus and into the stomach to view the inside of the upper GI tract, is essential in helping miVIP surgeons determine how best to treat the disease.
Another important diagnostic component, Bravo pH monitoring is connected at the time of the EGD to track the frequency and duration of acid reflux along with symptom correlation over a 48-hour period.
In addition, high-resolution manometry testing with the latest equipment can quantitatively determine if and when the LES is not working properly, and the overall movement of the esophagus.
What causes GERD?
While anyone can develop GERD, certain factors – such as over eating, pregnancy, diet, hiatal hernia and family history – increase your chances of developing the condition.
Common GERD symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chronic sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, wheezing, chest pain and acid regurgitation. Acid reflux sufferers also may experience dysphagia, a narrowing of your esophagus that creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat; bloody or black stools; bloody vomit; persistent hiccups; and/or unexplained weight loss.
All GERD symptoms can range in intensity from minor to severe depending on each specific case. It’s critically important to treat minor and severe symptoms in order to prevent extensive damage.
Another reason early diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is crucial is because, if left untreated, GERD can develop into complications and more serious GI conditions, including esophagitis and Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition that increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
What are my treatment options?
It is important to address the underlying causes of GERD, not just “put a band-aid” on the symptoms. Generally, the first line of treatment involves lifestyle adjustments. Maintaining a healthy weight, as well as avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and certain foods can help alleviate the disorder. Moreover, pregnant women’s symptoms may subside after delivery.
If damage has already been done to the esophageal tissue, an antibiotic or proton pump inhibitor (PPI) may be prescribed. This generally is not considered a permanent solution, however, because: (1) the medicines currently available to alleviate GERD symptoms don’t treat the underlying problem – a weak sphincter; and (2) long-term use of GERD medications (including antacids) is known to have such side effects as osteoporosis, low magnesium levels affecting the heart and susceptibility to infectious colitis (all established by the FDA), and is associated with significantly higher risk of esophageal cancer.
If these approaches don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery.
miVIP Surgery Centers offer minimally invasive robotic-assisted procedures performed in an outpatient setting for several GI conditions, including:
LINX® System, a revolutionary, new surgical technology in the treatment of GERD. LINX is the only available device approved by the FDA to be both safe and effective for the treatment of GERD. It consists of a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the LES resist opening to gastric pressure, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. LINX is intended for patients with a chronic history of GERD and an unsatisfactory response to other GERD treatments.
Hiatal hernia repair surgery, the only remedy for severe GERD symptoms caused by a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm up into the chest. This allows food and acid to back up into the esophagus, leading to heartburn or acid reflux.
Hiatal hernia repair surgery involves tightening the junction between the stomach and esophagus. The surgery usually is done by pulling the stomach back below the diaphragm and wrapping the top of the stomach around the junction between the stomach and esophagus, then sewing the stomach in place.
Nissen fundoplication, the most common type of GERD surgery.
In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the top of the stomach around the lower esophagus to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter, reducing the likelihood that acid will back up into the esophagus.
Minimally invasive procedures to treat GI problems
miVIP Surgery Centers offer the latest minimally invasive procedures performed in an outpatient setting, including robotic surgery, to diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions. In minimally invasive procedures (also known as keyhole or laparoscopic surgery), tiny, physician-guided instruments are inserted into one or more dime-sized incisions to perform the process. This typically means less blood loss, postoperative pain and scarring, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time.
It’s important to note that “robotic” or “robotically-assisted” does not mean a robot will perform your procedure. Your surgeon is 100 percent in control throughout robotic surgery.
Robotics give miVIPs highly trained surgeons a technical advantage by providing enhanced capabilities, including high-definition, 3-D vision and a magnified view to translate their hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments within the operative site. These capabilities ensure the highest level of precision and accuracy in performing surgical procedures.
As with any surgical procedure, benefits cannot be guaranteed. Successful outcomes depend on the procedure and the patient.
Further ensuring the highest level of personalized patient care and attention, miVIP’s dedicated heartburn and acid reflux center assigns a personal patient care advocate and program coordinator to each patient. In addition, miVIP patients enjoy the convenience and stress-reducing benefits of “one-stop” access to a full range of diagnostic and treatment options for GI conditions – all under one roof.
What’s my next step?
miVIP Surgery Centers are dedicated to providing our patients with the high-quality medical treatment they deserve in an outpatient setting. Call us today to learn more about the comprehensive diagnostic and treatments available at our dedicated heartburn and acid reflux center – 855-496-4847 (855-49-miVIP).
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