Medications And Surgery Are Options

For Treatment Of Heartburn

DANBURY — Next to back pain and the common cold, heartburn is one of the top reasons people go to the doctor. When heartburn is chronic and debilitating, and impairs one’s quality of life, it is called gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Patients spend a lot of money on over-the-counter drugs to treat the symptoms of GERD. GERD occurs when acids from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, belching, bloating, regurgitation, nausea, and abdominal pain. When left untreated, GERD can lead to other complications, including inflammation and permanent damage to the esophagus, esophagitis, and even cancer.

The best way to treat GERD is to manage the symptoms by taking prescription medications, or to consider surgery to repair the reflux mechanism, according to a panel of doctors from Danbury Hospital. Keith Zuccala, MD, director of laparoscopic surgery; Laura Choi, MD, Department of General Surgery, and Joan Culpepper-Morgan, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, spoke at a recent Medical Town Meeting sponsored by Danbury Hospital, “Beyond Heartburn: Prevention and Treatment of Reflux Disease.” Control of acid secretion, they say, is the best therapy.

“GERD is a difficult concept to understand,” said Dr Culpepper-Morgan, “as the condition goes beyond heartburn.” The problem with GERD, she said, is that there is no easy way to distinguish between an uncomplicated form of the disease and a complicated one. Atypical symptoms can include cough, sinusitis, asthma, dental erosions, and unexplained chest pain.

“The degree of heartburn doesn’t always correlate to the degree of damage,” she said.

Interestingly, GERD is also on the rise in this country, according to the doctors, and is considered related to a diet high in fat and sugar. It is also interesting to note that GERD is uncommon in countries like Italy and Japan, where the population is thought to have a more healthy diet. GERD can also be genetic.

While some diseases and conditions can be managed by a change in lifestyle, this has very little effect in GERD. The doctors recommend that patients refrain from smoking, not become obese, and limit running, which can aggravate GERD. Many medications can also aggravate GERD, so if patients have concerns, they should see their doctor.

 Another way to treat GERD is with a surgical intervention. The laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication procedure is antireflux surgery, and is most effective in severe cases of GERD, according to Dr Zuccala. It is also for people who do not want to take medications or for whom the medications do not work.

The minimally invasive surgery fixes the valve in the esophagus that allows reflux to happen.

“Ninety percent of patients have relief and the surgery is safe and effective,” said Dr Zuccala.

Anyone who has questions concerning GERD, or is experiencing chronic acid reflux problems, should see a doctor or visit the Danbury Hospital website, www.danburyhopsital.org for more information.