Acid Reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up or refluxes into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus. This regurgitated liquid mainly contains acid and pepsin, both being produced by the stomach. It may also contain bile. Amongst all the contents of the liquid, acid is the most harmful.
Once GERD starts, it stays for life-long. GERD is a chronic condition and the treatment has to continue indefinitely. The reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in normal individuals also. The difference of it occurring in GERD patients is that the refluxed liquid contains more acid that often remains in the esophagus for longer duration. The body has ways of protecting itself from the effects of reflux and acid. Saliva contains bicarbonate that neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus. Gravity, swallowing and saliva are the protective mechanisms for the esophagus when an individual is in the upright position.
There are various complications arising because of acid reflux. ?Ulcers ? The cells lining the esophagus are sometimes damaged due to the reflux of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus. An ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus that occurs in an area of inflammation. It may give rise to bleeding in the esophagus. When the bleeding becomes severe, blood transfusion is required along with endoscopic or surgical treatment. ?Strictures ? Scars are formed when the ulcers of the esophagus heal. The scar tissue shrinks and narrows the lumen of the esophagus. This scarred narrowing is called a stricture. It may cause swallowed food to get stuck in the esophagus. ?Barrett's esophagus ? Severe GERD or Long-standing cause cells to change that line the esophagus. These cells then become pre-cancerous and then finally cancerous. ?Cough and Asthma ? Some nerves in the esophagus are stimulated by the refluxed acid, which results in pain. Other nerves that are also stimulated provoke coughing. The stimulated esophageal nerves that connect to the nerves going to the lungs causes the breathing tubes to narrow, resulting in an attack of asthma. ?Inflammation of the throat and larynx ? When the refluxed liquid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it enters the throat and the voice box, causing inflammation and soar throat. ?Inflammation and infection of the lungs ? The reflux of liquid into the lungs results in coughing and choking. This can lead to infection of the lungs and result in pneumonia. ?Fluid in the sinuses and middle ear ? Found in children, it is caused when the sinuses and middle ears are closed off from the nasal passages by the swelling of the adenoids. Fluid is then accumulated within them.
GERD is treated with life-style changes, antacids, histamine antagonists (H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers, surgery, and endoscopy.
Although acid reflux can be controlled through the means of medical treatments and appropriate diet, some people who suffer from severe forms of the condition may require acid reflux surgery. Acid reflux has a recidivating character and surgery is the best means of fully overcoming the condition. There are several medical procedures in acid reflux surgery and the most effective ones are Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, also known as Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication and Intraluminal Endoscopic surgery. These surgical procedures are both considered to be safe and patients usually recover quickly after the operation.
Acid reflux (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is a physiological condition that usually occurs due to inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter (muscular valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach), allowing the content of the stomach to reflux into the esophagus and throat. In normal conditions, the esophageal lower sphincter should be able to prevent the regurgitation of the stomach acids into the esophagus.
The sphincter normally acts like a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, sealing the walls of the esophagus in order to protect the organ from the digestive fluids produced by the stomach. However, due to abnormal pressure at the lower end of esophagus, weakness of the esophageal lower sphincter, abnormal positioning of the esophagus inside the body or inconstant muscular contractions of the sphincter, the digestive fluids produced by the stomach are allowed to enter into the esophagus and the throat. Acid reflux surgery can correct the actual causes of the condition, normalizing the activity of the lower esophageal sphincter and therefore preventing the access of gastric acids to the superior levels of the esophagus.
Acid reflux surgery involves simple medical procedures and it provides permanent results for people who are constantly affected by the condition. Acid reflux surgery is recommended for people with chronic forms of acid reflux, but it is also suitable for other patients with less serious forms of the condition.
The most common form of acid reflux surgery is fundoplication. This form of acid reflux surgery involves tightening the walls of the esophagus in the region adjacent to the stomach, thus increasing the pressure near the lower esophageal sphincter. By increasing the pressure at the union point between the esophagus and stomach, acid reflux surgery prevents the content of the stomach from being regurgitated upwards, inside the esophagus and the throat. One other method used in acid reflux surgery involves tightening the esophageal valve. By doing so, the valve will be able to efficiently seal the esophagus, preventing the reflux of gastric acid inside it.
Intraluminal endoscopic acid reflux surgery basically involves the same medical procedures, but performed through the means of an endoscope. This form of acid reflux surgery is very quick and its risks are minimal. The majority of patients recover rapidly after this form of acid reflux surgery and they usually don’t require post-operatory treatment.
Thanks to medical advance and the multitude of modern treatments available these days, acid reflux surgery can be performed in a quick, safe and effective way.
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