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Gastro-Oesophageal RefluxWhat is Acid Reflux?Acid is normally produced in the stomach to help digest food. Acid Reflux develops in people who have a poorly functioning valve between the oesophagus and stomach. If acid washes up into the oesophagus it causes heartburn. Other complications such as ulcers and scarring may develop if the oesophagus is exposed to acid for many years. There is also a small increased risk of developing cancer at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach. TreatmentThe symptoms of heartburn can be helped to an extent by taking various antacids and, if you are overweight, by reducing your weight. However, many patients do not achieve satisfactory relief by these methods and require further investigation. It is important that patients are investigated to confirm the diagnosis and initiate the correct treatment. This begins with an outpatient consultation and if necessary subsequent investigations such as endoscopy (OGD) will follow. If surgery is contemplated, pH manometry will also be performed. Hiatus HerniaA common cause of acid reflux and heartburn is a hiatus hernia. This means that the upper part of the stomach has protruded up into the chest through a weakness in the diaphragm. If Professor Bailey confirms that you are suffering from Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux, the recommended treatment may be medicines, in the form of tablets, or surgery. Keyhole surgery is performed to rectify the problem, and patients are usually in hospital for one or two nights. The operation is called a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and involves repairing the weakness in the diaphragm and creating a valve at the upper part of the stomach to prevent reflux. Immediately after the operation, all of the symptoms of reflux disappear. The operation has an excellent long-term result. |
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