Heartburn that keeps recurring is considered to be GERD. — TNS
Heartburn – that burning pain in your chest after eating certain foods or when you lie down in the evening – is a common complaint and usually no cause for alarm.
Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus, which is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking, alcohol and foods that trigger your symptoms, as well as taking non-prescription medications such as antacids.
When heartburn occurs repeatedly over time and interferes with your routine, it's considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The constant backwash of acid with GERD can irritate the lining of your oesophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.
Over time, chronic inflammation in your oesophagus can cause serious damage, including narrowing of the oesophagus, called esophageal stricture, or the pre-cancerous changes of Barrett's oesophagus.
In addition to heartburn, symptoms of GERD can include:
- Upper abdominal or chest pain
- Trouble swallowing
- Sensation of a lump in your throat
- A chronic cough
- Inflammation of the vocal cords
- New or worsening asthma.
With GERD, your healthcare professional is likely to recommend that you first try lifestyle changes and non-prescription medications – similar to the treatment recommendations for heartburn.
And with both conditions, if these measures aren't effective, there are prescription medications that may be recommended.
If medications don't help with GERD, or you wish to avoid long-term medication use, your healthcare team may recommend:
- Fundoplication
With this procedure, the surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around the lower oesophageal sphincter, to tighten the muscle and prevent reflux.
Fundoplication is usually done with a minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedure.
- An anti-gastroesophageal reflux implant
This implant is a ring of tiny magnetic beads that is wrapped around the junction of the stomach and oesophagus.
The magnetic attraction between the beads is strong enough to keep the junction closed to refluxing acid, but weak enough to allow food to pass through.
It can be implanted using minimally-invasive surgery.
The magnetic beads do not have an effect on airport security or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication
This new procedure involves tightening the lower oesophageal sphincter by creating a partial wrap around the lower oesophagus using polypropylene fasteners.
It is performed through the mouth by using an endoscope and requires no surgical incision.
Its advantages include quick recovery time and high tolerance. – By Laurel Kelly/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
