Submitted by Illinois Bariatric Center
Heartburn is a common problem for many people. If you’ve ever experienced heartburn, you are familiar with the “burning” sensation in the chest that may also spread to the throat, leaving an unpleasant, sour taste. Heartburn is often triggered by eating a large meal or food that is greasy or spicy. As long as heartburn occurs less than once a week, you can relieve the symptoms by taking a couple Rolaids or Tums and watching what you eat. Occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about and does not usually cause other, more serious health problems.
However, do not ignore heartburn that occurs several times a week and continues for more than several months. While many people will avoid seeing a doctor for something that they think is “only heartburn,” untreated heartburn can lead to many other potentially serious complications. Like most health conditions, the earlier you get treatment, the better the outcome.
Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It’s important to first get an accurate diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor diagnoses acid reflux or GERD by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. If your symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes and medications, then further testing may be warranted, usually an upper GI Endoscopy.
Following are some of the more serious complications that can develop if acid reflux and/or GERD is not treated.
Esophagitis
Acid reflux happens when food, acid, and digestive juices move back into the esophagus instead of staying in the stomach. The reason for this is that the muscle between the esophagus and stomach isn’t working properly. The muscle doesn’t close all the way, and food is allowed back up. Over time, this can cause damage to the lining of the esophagus, known as esophagitis.
Esophageal stricture
An esophageal stricture happens when the esophagus becomes too narrow. This can lead to problems with swallowing.
Respiratory problems
With GERD you might breathe stomach acid into your lungs. The stomach acid can then irritate your throat and lungs, causing respiratory problems, such as asthma, chest congestion, chronic cough or sore throat, laryngitis, and pneumonia.
Barrett’s esophagus
GERD can sometimes cause Barrett’s esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous condition. This condition does not cause symptoms, but the cell changes are diagnosed with an endoscopy. In rare cases, Barrett’s esophagus may lead to cancer of the esophagus, which is very serious and often deadly.
If you are diagnosed with acid reflux or GERD, you may be able to control it with medication and lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding certain foods, and not smoking. In the past, major surgery was the only option for people whose GERD did not improve with medicine and lifestyle changes. There are certain risks of taking medicine for a long period of time. However, there is a new method that has recently been approved by the FDA for treating acid reflux. This method, called the LINX System, is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure.
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 lower end of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach. 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.
If you experience frequent heartburn, see your doctor to prevent long-term problems.
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. Illinois Bariatric Center is one of the few practices in Central Illinois that is qualified to offer the non-surgical LINX and ORBERA systems.