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The Need For An Acid Reflux Surgeon Morrilton AR

By Angela Butler


Heartburn is popular with most people. However, certain individuals experience sharp heartburns, which call for appropriate medical attention. Such conditions are technically called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The severity of such conditions calls for an Acid Reflux surgeon Morrilton AR who will in most instances recommend a Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery. Medics consider heartburns not just as digestive problems but rather as a symptom of GERD.

This condition crops up when your stomach acids reflux or back up from the stomach into your esophagus. This leads to heartburns that are characterized by very harsh and burning sensations on the region amid the ribs or the section just below your neck. The burning sensations spread out from the chest to the neck and throat. Additional symptoms of the condition include chronic coughing, difficulties in swallowing and vomiting or regurgitation.

Food travels to the stomach through the tube known as the esophagus. The esophagus contains muscle at the bottom end known as esophageal sphincter which acts as the valve to allow food to pass through into the stomach. The valve is one way and closes immediately once the food is swallowed ensure there is no back flow of the stomach juices rich high acid contents. The gastroesophageal reflux disease arises if this valve does not function well allowing acid to get back into the esophagus. The back flow of acid and stomach juices inflames and irritates the esophagus, causing heartburns and may eventually damage the gullet.

A number of factors lead to GERD. For example, some individuals may naturally have a weak sphincter from birth. Nonetheless, other aspects can be contributing factors to this condition. Fatty and Spicy foods, smoking, some medications, drinking alcohol, vigorous exercise, tight clothing as well as changing the body position for instance lying down can lead to relaxation of the sphincter resulting in the flux.

Different approaches are used in managing the gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, if such approaches are not effective, surgery is considered as a better treatment option. Surgical therapy becomes the option if symptoms persist while necessary medical therapy is still offered or following personal preference. Personal preference is usually considered by people who want to avoid taking acid suppression medication or have side effects from taking such medications.

The other healing technique is a lifestyle change. Usually, this is the primary approach and require behavioral as well as lifestyle changes. Such changes to be considered involve weight loss, low intake of caffeine and alcohol, abstaining from smoking and keep away from carbonated drinks, spicy and acidic foods, and elevation of the head when sleeping.

When such adjustments bear no fruit in terms of offering relief and persistence of symptoms, the approach of medication can be considered that aims at reducing the acid levels. Examples of such medications include proton pump inhibitor and histamine H2 receptor blocker. In as much as such medications may not prevent occurrences of back-flow, they are usually effective in cutting down acids within the gastric fluid.

Failure of lifestyle changes or medication would lead to a recommendation of antireflux surgery by a physician. Several tests are performed preceding the surgery to determine the suitability of the patient for the procedure. The test identifies any evidence of a back-flow, relates the symptoms and the back-flow as well as diseases elsewhere that can be causing such symptoms.




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