Health@Heart
Reflex Heartburns
REFLEX Heartburns is a milder stage of Reflux Esophagitis, which is an inflammatory condition where Hydrocholoric Acid, normally produced by the stomach to aid in the digestion of food, regurgitate (goes back up) to the lower end of the esophagus (food pipe) which is connected to the stomach. In most cases, the lower esophageal sphincter (“valve”) is incompetent (loose) and allows stomach acid and food to back up to the esophagus, a disease medically known as Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). In some cases, acid reflux is not necessary for heartburns to occur.
Why is acid reflux bad?
The stomach mucosa (lining) normally produces the digestive acid and tolerates it much better than the esophagus, which has a different cell lining that is less resistant to the acid. Reflux of stomach acid into the lower end of the esophagus, therefore, causes esophagitis (irritation, inflammation and swelling), which, if allowed to continue untreated, could cause esophageal stricture (scarring) and narrowing, making the channel connecting the food pipe to the stomach too small for food to pass through.
What are the possible complications of GER?
Uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux responds well to medical therapy, and may be tolerated for many years. However, some people on treatment may still develop complications, like esophagitis, esophageal ulcer, hemorrhage, esophageal stricture, and Barrett’s metaplasia (cell changes in the esophagus that could transform to cancer).
How is the diagnosis of GER confirmed?
A careful history and thorough physical examination, coupled with X-Ray Barium Swallow (done with the patient on his back and the head lower than the feet to check for reflux of barium), esophageal monometry (pressure measurement), pH (acidity) monitoring, Bernstein acid test, and endoscopy (looking inside and down the foodpipe by passing a lighted “telescope” to see the condition of the lower foodpipe and stomach). Through this same scope, tiny bopsies could be performed, to see the tissue reaction and to check for cancer.
What is the first step treatment of GER?
The initial management of patients with persisting symptoms of GER consists of (1) Changing diet (avoiding spices, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cola drinks), (2) quitting cigarette smoking, (3) avoiding tight, binding clothing, especially after a meal (4) refraining from lying down immediately after a meal, and elevating the head of the bed when lying down to keep gastric acid and contents in the stomach by gravity, and (5) taking regular antacids under the close supervision of your physician.
If this treatment fails, then what?
If the initial therapy fails after 4 to 6 weeks, then endoscopy should be performed by your Gastroenterologist. More intensive treatment with H2 blocker to reduce acidity, use of bathanecol to raise the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure to reduce reflux, or metoclopramide or cisapride to speed up gastric emptying into the small intestines.
When is surgery recommended?
When the strategic and intensive medical treatments enumerated above fail after several months to a year of trial, or when the Omeprazole is ineffective, or when the esophageal stricture does not stay open after dilatation, then surgery is recommended.
What is the objective of the operation?
The aim of the operation is to restore the anatomical and physiological condition in the lower end of the esophagus, as surgically possible, to minimize or prevent reflux of the gastric acid and content to the esophagus. If a bleeding esophageal ulcer and a stricture are present, then the surgeon will also address these accordingly.
How successful are these anti-reflux operations for GER?
Very successful. Ten-year follow-up studies, some even longer, show that up to 90% of the patients are rendered asymptomatic (symptom-free), doing well, provided the changes in lifestyle recommended above are strictly followed. (Please visit www.FUN8888.com. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com)
