By Alexander Germanis
The human body is a complex machine made up of smaller systems, each performing numerous and often diverse functions to carry out their respective duties. In particular, the digestive system utilizes many parts of the body — including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder — to break down food and extract the nutrients necessary to run the other systems of the body. Unfortunately, just as in any other machine, a system can break down or have a little glitch that can adversely affect everything else. One of the most common ways the digestive system can malfunction is through a condition called acid reflux.
Acid reflux is a returning or flowing back of the stomach acids into the esophagus. Because the esophagus does not have the strong lining meant to cope with the strong digestive enzymes in the stomach, the back flow of acids can result in a burning sensation in the chest — commonly known as heartburn — or a burning in the throat or back of the mouth.
“Acid reflux can occur when the lower esophageal sphincter is either not located where it should be or is not performing its job correctly,” says Sidney Rohrscheib, MD, of Illinois Bariatric Center. A board-certified surgeon, Dr. Rohrscheib has over 15 years of experience performing bariatric procedures and routinely sees acid reflux disease in his patients.
“With a hiatal hernia, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) will move above the diaphragm, (the slightly curved sheet of muscle separating the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity),” the doctor continues. “If it does this, the LES will not perform its duty of allowing food into the stomach but preventing acid from leaving the stomach.”
Dr. Rohrscheib points out that the symptoms of acid reflux do not always mean there is a problem as serious as a hernia. “Sometimes the LES simply relaxes abnormally,” he adds. “Lying down shortly after a meal — especially a large one — can also cause reflux. That’s one of the many reasons we physicians caution against eating so close to bedtime.”
Eating highly acidic foods or drinking caustic beverages such as alcohol, coffee, tea, or carbonated drinks are common culprits. Taking certain medications, both over-the-counter and prescription — ranging from aspirin and ibuprofen to blood pressure medicine — can aggravate the condition as well. Even being overweight or simply being pregnant can trigger bouts of acid reflux.
There are simple steps to take to avoid occasional recurrence of acid reflux, such as watching what and when you eat, losing weight, or taking basic antacids. “But,” Dr. Rohrscheib counsels, “should reflux persist, it can lead to more serious problems, including damage to the esophagus that could lead to cancer, ulcers, and difficulty swallowing. In those cases of persistent acid reflux, consult your physician.”
For some people, acid reflux is a chronic condition. There have been several ways to minimize it including prescription medication and in some cases, surgery. One of the newest methods, is the LINX System for reflux disease.
The LINX System is comprised of a small ring of titanium beads, each with magnetic cores. About the size of a quarter, the LINX is placed around the LES in a minimally invasive procedure. When food passes down the esophagus into the stomach, the natural action of swallowing breaks the magnetic attraction between the beads, allowing the food to pass. Once the food passes, however, the magnetic bond closes the ring again, preventing the stomach acid from exiting the stomach.
For chronic sufferers, the LINX System can provide just the barrier of protection they need from acid reflux.
For more information on the LINX system for acid reflux, the ORBERA™ Managed Weight Loss Program or LAP-BAND® surgery, you may contact Dr. Sidney Rohrscheib at the Illinois Bariatric Center at 217-935-7037. To learn more, join our seminar even on Jan 25 and Feb 23 at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 1715 Parkway Plaza Dr, Normal. Illinois Bariatric Center is one of the few practices in Central Illinois that is qualified to offer the non-surgical LINX and ORBERA systems.