Surgery for GERD

As with any other problem, the treatments and drugs available for GERD are numerous. Some of the simple treatments would be change of lifestyle and anti-acidic medicines. Another alternative treatment for the condition of GERD would be surgery. Surgery is usually not prescribed at the onset of the condition. It is an option chosen when all the other treatments and medicines are found to be ineffective. Sometimes all the treatments given could prove to be of no use and this necessitates the surgery. However it should be kept in mind that surgery is the last option under consideration.

Acid reflux is treated by a surgery known as fundoplication procedure. In this surgery very small incisions are made in the upper abdomen. A camera and surgical instruments are passed through the incision. In fundoplication procedure any visible hernia or hernial sac is detached. It is then stitched back into place to reduce the pressure on the diaphragm which is usually the cause for symptoms of acid reflux. Then the muscle where the diaphragm meets the oesophagus is tightened. This reduces the leakage of acid reflux and hence prevents its flow into the oesophagus. An artificial lower oesophageal sphincter is also created in the stomach to reduce future reflux.

Surgical procedure has found to be more effective than any other treatment methods available. It can provide relief from symptoms and complications that occur due to acid reflux. As many as 85% of the patients who undergo the surgery are found to have positive results. The surgery can keep you away from the problems for up to 10 years.

Many patients will still need to follow medication to get relief from the discomfort and pain either because it has not been properly dealt with during the surgery or because the condition has returned. This is the case with almost half of the people who go for surgery. Most of the patients face further complications post the surgery.

The risk associated with surgery is that the food may be trapped by the artificial muscle. This condition can be easily treated. In rare cases another surgery may be required to open the artificial sphincter to allow the passage of food and correct the problem.

Just like any other surgery, the surgery for acid reflux i.e. fundoplication procedure has potential risks and side effects. Prior to undergoing the surgery it is necessary to discuss with your surgeon the possible complications and risks associated. You can also find out if any alternative treatment would be better for your condition. Only when all other options are closed, should you opt for surgery. Have a complete talk with the surgeon as to what are the precautions you may have to follow before and post the surgery. All these things will help you to make an informed decision.

Acid reflux news on the Web

Treatment of silent acid reflux does not improve asthma in children, study finds
Adding the acid reflux drug lansoprazole to a standard inhaled steroid treatment for asthma does not improve asthma control in children who have no symptom of acid reflux, according to a new study. Lansoprazole therapy slightly increased the risk of sore throats and other respiratory problems in children, however.

Treatment of silent acid reflux does not improve asthma in children, NIH study finds
( NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute ) Adding the acid reflux drug lansoprazole to a standard inhaled steroid treatment for asthma does not improve asthma control in children who have no symptom of acid reflux, according to a new study funded in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. Lansoprazole therapy slightly increased the ...

Stomach Acid Drugs Increase Risk of Bacterial Infections, FDA Warns
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers today that certain stomach acid drugs may increase the risk of a serious intestinal bacteria infection.

Radiofrequency Ablation Helps Patients with Chronic Heartburn (Treating Barrett's Esophagus Prevents Precancerous ...
When chronic heartburn or acid reflux damages the lining of the esophagus it can create a condition called Barrett's esophagus, which may be precancerous. A minimally invasive outpatient procedure eradicates dysplasia to restore a healthy cell lining.

Acid reflux drug does not improve asthma symptoms in kids
Washington, Jan 25 : Addition of acid reflux drug lansoprazole does not alleviate asthma symptoms or the control of the respiratory illness in children and may even increase upper respiratory infections risk and other adverse events, a new study has revealed.

New Surgical Treatment For Acid Reflux
Dr. Dianne McCallister discusses how the procedure works.

Heartburn drugs don't aid children's asthma
An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found.

Acid reflux drugs don’t help asthma in children
A new study has found that acid reflux medicine used to treat asthma in children isn’t effective.

Acid reflux drug does not improve asthma in children
( Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health ) A randomized clinic trial conducted by the American Lung Association's Asthma Clinical Group found that the addition of lansoprazole does not improve asthma symptoms or the control of asthma in children and may increase the risk for upper respiratory infections and other adverse events.

Heartburn drugs don't help children's hard-to-control asthma: study
CHICAGO - An acid reflux drug often used for hard-to-treat asthma doesn't help children with the breathing disease and may cause side effects, a study in 300 children found.