Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a long-term condition where acid from the stomach comes up into the esophagus. Many people occasionally experience gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). However, if an individual experiences persistent acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week, they may be diagnosed with GERD. In other words, GERD is the long-term, regular occurrence of GER.
A hiatal Hernia can occur from long-lasting GERD or GERD could be a symptom of a hiatal Hernia. When GERD progresses, it can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to lose its function, which may cause a hiatal Hernia. A hiatal Hernia could also worsen GERD symptoms. So you could have one of these conditions or they can coexist. This condition in severe cases can lead to more serious complications such as obstruction or strangulation of the stomach.
Causes
Occasional acid reflux is quite common, often occurring as a result of overeating, lying down after eating, or eating particular foods. However, recurrent acid reflux, diagnosed as GERD, typically has other causes and risk factors and can have more serious complications. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach.
Then the sphincter closes again. If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in people of all ages. GERD occurs more commonly in people who are:
overweight
pregnant
as side effect of some medications
smoking, and being exposed to second-hand smoke
Symptoms
Burning sensation in chest, usually after eating
Chest Pain
Difficulty swallowing
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
Sensation of lump in throat
Risks If Condition Persists
Esophagitis
This is an inflammation of the esophagus
Esophageal stricture
In this condition, the esophagus becomes narrow, making it difficult to swallow
Barrett’s esophagus
The cells lining the esophagus can change into cells similar to the lining of the intestine. This can develop into cancer.
Respiratory problems
It is possible to breathe stomach acid into the lungs, which can cause a range of problems including chest congestion, hoarseness, sthma, laryngitis, and pneumonia
About Treatment at Pelvinic
At Pelvinic, we perform a specialised Laparoscopy Treatment for treating Gerd. Here are some advantages of our Laparoscopy Treatment over the Traditional Surgical Procedure.
Less Pain
Our Laparoscopy Treatment is Painless, compared to Open surgery procedure which is painful.
No tissue damage
Our Laparoscopy Treatment cause minimal cuts and wounds compared to Open surgery causes which causes cuts and wounds
No Diet Restrictions
Our Laparoscopy Treatment doesn't cause cuts and wounds compared to Open surgery causes which causes cuts and wounds
Fast Recovery
Can resume work immediatly
Minimally Invasive
Our Laparoscopy Treatment is minimally invasive compared to open surgery for which its large
No Rest Required
Go back to a normal routine within 2 to 4 days.
Our Team of Dedicated Doctors
Select City :
Dr. Sandip Banerjee
DNB, MNAMS, FACRSI, FMAS, FIAGES, FAIS
Dr. Meenakshi Banerjee
MS, FMAS, MRCOG
Dr Akshat Wahal
MBBS, MS, MCH
Dr Ashutosh Chauhan
MS, DNB (Surg), DNB( Surg Onco), MNAMS
Dr Abhay Singh
MBBS, MD - General Medicine, Gastroenterologist
Dr Saurav Mohan
MBBS, MD (Anaesthesia)
Dr Rahul Bhatt
MBBS, D.A.
Dr Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, D.A.
Dr. Arnab Mohanty
DNB, FRCS, FMAS
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Sandip diagnosed my medical Condition clearly and above all, gave the courage and filled me with confidence to go through the surgery.”
Alexa
Argentina
Treatment Procedure for Gerd
If your doctor suspects you might have GERD, they’ll conduct a physical exam and ask about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
They might use one or more of the following procedures to confirm a diagnosis or check for complications of GERD:
• Barium swallow: after drinking a barium solution, X-ray imaging is used to examine your upper digestive tract
• Upper endoscopy: a flexible tube with a tiny camera is threaded into your esophagus to examine it and collect a sample of tissue (biopsy) if needed
• Esophageal manometry: a flexible tube is threaded into your esophagus to measure the strength of your esophageal muscles
• Esophageal pH monitoring: a monitor is inserted into your esophagus to learn if and when stomach acid enters it.
To prevent and relieve symptoms of GERD, your doctor might encourage you to make changes to your eating habits or other behaviours.
They might also suggest taking over-the-counter medications, like:
• Antacids
• H2 receptor blockers
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
In some cases, they might prescribe stronger H2 receptor blockers or PPIs. If GERD is severe and not responding to other treatments, surgery might be recommended.
In most cases, lifestyle changes and medications are enough to prevent and relieve symptoms of GERD. But sometimes, surgery is needed. GERD can worsen and turn into other conditions if left untreated The surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter and sew it in place, to tighten the muscle and which helps prevent stomach acid from backing up into it. Food and liquids can still pass through.
It is called Nissen fundoplication. Fundoplication is usually done with a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure. Outcomes of the laparoscopic technique are best when the surgery is done by a surgeon with experience using this procedure. The wrapping of the top part of the stomach can be partial or complete. The treatment has been revolutionised over the years by arrival of new age ambulatory surgery or Day Care surgery is a clinical admission for a surgical procedure, with discharge of the patient on the same working day. We have a trained anesthesiologist, OT assistant, and nursing assistant to perform to do such advanced procedure under general anesthesia
Post-operative pain is generally mild although some patients may require prescription pain medication for a short period of time. Anti-reflux medication is usually not required after surgery.
Most surgeons temporarily modify patient's diet after surgery beginning with liquids followed by gradual advance to solid foods.
Why Pelvinic
Pelvinic - The Pelvic Floor Clinic, is a Laparoscopy specialty center. We offer treatment and cure for diseases in the pelvic area under one roof. Treatment is done by our experienced doctors using latest technologies at a very affordable cost.
COVID-19 Safe
We have taken all safety measures to combat Covid-19.
Patient Care
We strive to provide a home-like environment and the best treatments for our patients for quick recovery.
Award Winning Doctors
PELVINIC’s success is recognized by many awards from the various organizations national & international.
Advanced Facilities
We use the latest technology and medical equipment in patient care that helps the doctors diagnose diseases and treat patients effectively and efficiently.
Experience
Highly skilled surgeons. Our doctors have a vast experience of over 50000 surgeries.
Cost Effective
50% more cost effective than corporate hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which damage to the
esophageal, oropharyngeal and laryngeal tissue occurs due to excessive
backwashing of gastric contents into the esophagus.
The typical symptoms of GERD are burning in the chest (heartburn) and
regurgitation of sour or bitter liquid, sometimes mixed with food, to the throat or
mouth. Although not everyone has these symptoms, they are so indicative of reflux
that testing is not usually necessary. Other relatively common symptoms include
chest pain, which may simulate cardiac disease, and the feeling of food sticking in
the esophagus. Less often GERD may cause throat burning, coughing, asthma, or
recurrent pulmonary infections (recurrent bronchitis or aspiration pneumonia).
Polls of normal individuals reveal that a large percentage of the population has
occasional symptoms of heartburn. Tests of acid reflux using pH probes placed in
the esophagus suggest that a limited amount of reflux occurs daily in the majority of
individuals (physiologic reflux). Reflux is only considered a disease when excessive
amounts of reflux occur (pathologic reflux) causing frequent symptoms or tissue
damage.
The main cause of reflux is a weak anti-reflux barrier. There are two major components of this barrier: the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the normal anatomic configuration of the junction of the esophagus and stomach. LES strength can be measured by esophageal manometry (pressure studies). The esophagus usually joins the stomach within the abdomen at an abrupt angle. When the esophagogastric junction is in the chest rather than the abdomen, a hiatal hernia is said to be present. A low LES pressure or a hiatal hernia predisposes individuals to abnormal amounts of reflux. Pathologic reflux is more likely when both abnormalities occur in the same individual. What other factors can contribute to the severity of reflux? Refluxed material is usually neutralized and washed out of the esophagus by saliva. Individuals who have reflux and do not produce saliva, or who are unable to swallow their own saliva due to a swallowing disorder, may develop particularly severe esophageal injury. Patients with severe esophageal weakness may also be unable to clear their esophagus after reflux occurs. This prolongs the period in which the esophagus is bathed in acid, and increases the chances of developing severe esophageal injury. Although most patients with GERD produce normal amounts of acid, those with excessive acid production are more likely to have esophageal injury when reflux occurs. Occasionally, individuals with reflux have a disorder of gastric emptying, resulting in an increased chance of reflux. In most cases, the aforementioned complications increase the severity of reflux in patients already predisposed to this condition due to a weak anti-reflux barrier. Only rarely do they create pathologic reflux in an individual not otherwise predisposed to developing reflux.
Several tests can be used to diagnose GERD. A barium esophagram is an X-ray
used to evaluate structure and function of the esophagus and is indicated when
there is difficulty swallowing. Esophageal manometry is a test used to determine LES
pressure and the strength and coordination of muscle contraction in the esophagus.
Although this test does not show reflux, it does allow placement of a thin 24-hour pH
catheter in the esophagus that demonstrates frequency and direction of reflux. This
is the best test for the diagnosis of GERD. Upper endoscopy allows the physician to
see if there is esophageal injury and to perform biopsies to determine whether
further medical or surgical management is necessary.
GERD can be treated in several ways. The first approach is dietary and lifestyle modifications, e.g., decreasing the intake of foods that increase gastric acidity or reduce the pressure at the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus (caffeinated and decaffeinated foods, chocolate, peppermint and spearmint). Coffee, alcohol and acidic liquids affect esophageal peristalsis, and fatty foods slow gastric emptying and should be avoided. Large meals increase gastric pressure and therefore increase reflux. Smoking affects esophageal motor function, stimulates acid secretion and delays gastric emptying, potentiating reflux. Air swallowed while smoking increases the need for belching and therefore increases reflux. Lying down after eating should be avoided to keep the food in the stomach from refluxing into the esophagus. The head of the bed should be elevated at night to prevent the same type of reflux. Weight reduction is also recommended for those patients who are markedly overweight to lessen the frequency of reflux. New endoscopic techniques that are being developed may be useful to treat refractory reflux.
Drug therapy is used in combination with lifestyle changes. Acid-suppressing agents and drugs that enhance upper gastrointestinal motility are often prescribed. Surgery is the other choice to manage GERD. This mode of treatment is used primarily if the patient is unwilling or unable to cope with the lifestyle changes necessary for management of reflux disease. A Nissen fundoplication is the most common procedure performed.
This is a surgical procedure in which the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the entire circumference of the lower esophagus. Any existing hiatal hernia is reduced. This procedure has been reported to produce relief of reflux in 80 to 85 percent of patients.
Complications that may occur from a Nissen "wrap" are dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and abdominal distention. The dysphagia is usually mild and temporary but occasionally can be severe or persistent. Another post-operative problem is the "gas bloat" syndrome, in which patients develop bloating and abdominal pain after urgery. Some degree of this syndrome is not uncommon after surgery but is usually a minor nuisance. However, "gas bloat" can be severe and difficult to treat. Three major complications of GERD are esophagitis, esophageal strictures and Barrett’s esophagus. Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus and can range from inflamed mucosa to erosive ulcers occurring in a minority of GERD patients. GI bleeding may occur in ulcerated and eroded areas. Reflux-induced strictures are areas of thickened esophageal wall that narrow the lumen (the channel through which food must pass). Strictures occur in patients who have had relatively severe esophagitis. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition resulting from the abnormal healing of erosive esophagitis. The risk of developing Barrett’s is greater in patients with more severe and long-standing reflux symptoms. The significance of this condition is its tendency to develop into cancer of the esophagus. I have GERD.
Barrett’s esophagus develops in about 10 to 20 percent of patients with chronic
GERD or inflammation of the esophagus. It occurs more often in men than in women
(3:1 ratio) and is more common in Caucasian Americans than African Americans.
The prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus increases with age; the average age at
diagnosis is 55 years