Hearts on Fire Living with heartburn General Health Heartburn, or reflux as it’s commonly known, is a condition in which stomach acids back-up from the stomach into the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation. Many people describe experiencing a harsh, burning feeling between the ribs and just below the neck and in severe cases, coughing, wheezing and difficulty swallowing can be experienced. The medical name for heartburn is Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD). GORD can affect many types of people occasionally throughout their lifetime, but is commonly experienced by women during pregnancy, or overweight people. So What Causes GORD? When food is consumed, it passes from the mouth, down the oesophagus and into the stomach. At the lower end of the oesophagus there is a very small ring of muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter. This ring of muscle acts as a one-way gatekeeper (or valve), allowing food to pass into the stomach, while preventing high acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. If this ring of muscle weakens, it does not function properly and acid is allowed to flow from the stomach back into the lower esophagus. Acid irritates and inflames the oeosophagus, causing heartburn. Over time, damage to the oesophagus can eventuate. In many cases, the long term symptoms can also be caused by a hiatus hernia, which often needs surgical treatment. What are the Treatment Options for GORD? For mild cases of GORD, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, weight loss or dietary changes may be all that’s required. For patients experiencing more frequent symptoms, daily medications and antacids may be required. For those who do not respond to drug therapy, there is a permanent surgical solution. Surgical Treatment for Reflux & Heartburn Typically, most patients with severe reflux are found to have a hiatus hernia. Therefore, surgical treatment of reflux involves a repair of a hiatus hernia. A fundoplication is often also performed to reinforce the lower oesophageal sphincter. A fundoplication involves wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower portion of the oesophagus. The procedure is performed using a laparoscopic technique, which is minimally invasive. A modified diet, set by a qualified dietitian, will need to be followed for a few weeks after surgery and patients can return to normal activity within a few weeks. pm For more information about reflux and heartburn surgery, please visit www.jordaansurgical.com.au for a series of educational videos. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 33
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Two
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