Acid Reflux - Why this Kola Eri? - can lifestyle changes make a difference?

What Causes GERD?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a chronic, often progressive condition resulting from a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). When left untreated, serious complications can result, including: esophagitis, stricture, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal cancer.

The LES is a muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach that functions as the body's natural barrier to reflux. The LES acts like a valve, allowing food and liquid to pass through to the stomach. Normally, the LES closes immediately after swallowing, preventing reflux. (Fig. 1) However, in people with GERD, the LES is weak, allowing acid and bile to reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. (Fig. 2)

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  Figure 1: A competent LES prevents chronic reflux into the esophagus
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  Figure 2: A weak LES allows reflux into the esophagus

Symptoms of GERD

People experience symptoms of GERD in a variety of ways. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn.
Other symptoms may include:

• Regurgitation
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Chest pain

Treatment Options - NON MEDICAL OPTIONS

Treatment options for people who suffer from GERD vary widely depending on the severity and symptoms of their disease, however, there are currently three primary means of treating GERD: lifestyle changes, medical therapy and surgical intervention. Always consult your physician when considering treatment options.

Lifestyle Changes

Infrequent heartburn may be controlled by lifestyle changes such as weight loss, smoking cessation and eating modifications.

Taking the following steps may aid in reducing the frequency and severity of reflux episodes:

• Eating smaller meals
• Avoiding spicy foods, alcohol, coffee and chocolate
• Remaining upright after meals
• Eating evening meals several hours before going to bed
• Sleeping with the head of the mattress elevated

Taking steps such as these may help to reduce the symptoms associated with infrequent reflux, however, for patients who have moderate to severe GERD, lifestyle changes alone may not completely relieve symptoms.

Courtesy: http://www.toraxmedical.com/linx/understandingGERD.php

Simple magnets managing complex medical issue - New option in Acid Reflux

THE LINX REFLUX MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: STOP REFLUX AT ITS SOURCE

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic, often progressive disease resulting from a weak Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The LINX® Reflux Management System augments the weak LES, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux.

How Does the LINX System Work?

The LINX System is a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. The magnetic attraction between the beads is intended to help the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. (See Fig. 1) LINX is designed so that swallowing forces temporarily break the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach. (See Fig. 2) Magnetic attraction of the device is designed to close the LES immediately after swallowing, restoring the body’s natural barrier to reflux. (See Fig. 3).

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  Figure 1: The LINX System is designed to help the LES resist opening to gastric pressures.
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  Figure 2: The LINX System is designed to expand to allow for normal swallowing.
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  Figure 3: Magnetic attraction of the device is designed to close the LES immediately after swallowing.

How is the LINX System Implanted?

The LINX System is placed around the esophagus just above the stomach using a common, minimally invasive surgical technique called laparoscopy. (See Fig. 1-3).

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  Figure 1: A precision sizing tool is used to determine the appropriate size LINX System.
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  Figure 2: The LINX System is positioned around the LES using suture tails.
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  Figure 3: The ends of the LINX System are aligned and joined for secure closure.

Patients are placed under general anesthesia during the procedure, which generally lasts less than an hour. The LINX System does not require any anatomic alteration of the stomach. Most patients go home the day after surgery and resume a normal diet.

Source:

http://www.toraxmedical.com/linx/

Heartburn - may be we do not need to be heartbroken anymore!

First Magnetic Fix For Heartburn

Chronic heartburn or gastric esophageal reflux disease—commonly called GERD can lead to serious health problems including cancer of the esophagus.

Traditionally GERD has been treated with medication and sometimes surgery.

Now, after five years of clinical trials, there’s a new treatment option called LINX Reflux Management System.

Torax Medical Inc., in Minnesota manufactures the device that was FDA approved in March.

Enlarge this image

Credit: UC San Diego Health System

Above: Santiago Horgan, MD., demonstrates how the LINX device closes off esophagus to prevent backward flow of stomach content.

Santiago Horgan,MD, of UC San Diego Health System implanted the LINX in a 29-year old man with GERD on Monday.

“The LINX is composed of a flexible string of titanium beads, each with a magnetic core. Once implanted, the circular band closes in on itself, squeezing shut the last few centimeters of the esophagus,” explained Horgan.

When the esophagus is closed it prevents the backward flow of acidic stomach contents.

The device is put into place during a 20-30 minute outpatient surgery while the patient is under anesthesia. Patients are able to go home the same day.

One major drawback is patients with the LINX implant are prohibited from getting MRI (or Magnetic Resonance Imaging) tests until the device has been surgically removed.

What is GERD?... see you soon!