Many people experience occasional reflux, like heartburn or indigestion, that can be completed with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter antacid medications. But chronic reflux is something different. Ongoing reflux is often a sign of a medical condition that can have significant health risks.
If you suffer from chronic reflux, you may struggle to control your symptoms with medications which can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life. Moderate or severe reflux can cause you to avoid specific trigger foods and beverages, prevent you from sleeping soundly or cause persistent burping or vomiting. Signs like these indicate that it is time to speak with your physician about alternate therapies to control your medical condition.
For people who do not find relief from chronic reflux through lifestyle modifications, over-the-counter or prescription medications, surgical options may be appropriate. Many patients are surprised to learn that reflux surgery is routinely performed with positive, long-lasting results and minimal side effects. This field of surgery has been heavily researched and recent advancements and innovative options deliver proven, effective results.
Chronic reflux needs to be evaluated by an experienced medical professional. The physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann work with you to accurately diagnose your underlying condition and find the best solution to fir your individual needs.
Reflux (also called "acid reflux") occurs when acid flows backwards from your stomach up into your esophagus or throat. When you eat or drink, food and liquids should travel from your mouth through your esophagus and into your stomach and digestive system, in a downward direction. The upward motion of acid is not normal and leads to gastrointestinal distress or more serious medical conditions.
It is common to hear the term "reflux" used to describe general discomfort or pain in the chest or stomach region. However, reflux encompasses several specific conditions that each have their own unique symptoms and treatment methods.
What patients describe, generally, as reflux may actually be a specific condition including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia, gastroparesis or esophagitis. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating reflux; the best treatment option depends on accurately identifying the underlying cause.
The abnormal movement of acid through the intestinal system can lead to a number of conditions that require treatment. Reflux is often associate with the following:
Chronic acid reflux that reaches the esophagus, affecting approximately one quarter of the population. GERD is caused by mechanical abnormalities in the gastrointestinal system and requires medical intervention to control. When over-the-counter or prescription medications do not provide relief and the problem is ongoing, the condition is known as refractory GERD. Learn more »
Chronic, persistent acid reflux reaches all the way up into the throat causing hoarseness, coughing or difficulty swallowing.
Difficulty swallowing is caused by muscular or nerve abnormalities. Patients may experience food becoming stuck in the throat or esophagus.
Narrowing of the esophagus leads to difficulty swallowing. Patients may experience chronic coughing, choking, regurgitation or weight loss.
Damage and inflammation of the esophagus are caused by prolonged acid reflux. Patients are at an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer. Learn more »
Small hiatal hernias may not cause symptoms, but if the affected area is large, it can lead to chronic reflux and damage to the esophagus. Learn more »
A rare swallowing disorder caused by nerve damage in the esophagus causes food to come back up through the esophagus rather than being deposited into the stomach. Learn more »
Different surgical procedures are appropriate for different conditions. Once your physician has diagnosed the underlying cause of chronic reflux, an effective surgical procedure can be recommended to provide lasting relief.
This minimally invasive procedure is highly effective at providing symptom relief from GERD. With Laparoscopic Fundoplication, the surgeon strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by surrounding it with a section of the stomach. Wrapping a portion of the stomach around the lower portion of the esophagus provides additional support for the esophagus to keep acid from coming back from the stomach.
Commonly performed as weight-loss surgery, the gastric bypass procedure is also indicated for patients who experience severe symptoms related to chronic reflux. Gastric bypass (also called "Roux-en-Y") is a laparoscopic surgical procedure that reduces the size of the stomach and redirects a portion to bypass part of the small intestine. After surgery, the stomach will produce less acid which improves reflux symptoms. Learn more »
Patients with large hiatal hernias often experience reflux that is potentially damaging to the esophagus. For these patients, a laparoscopic surgical procedure to repair the portion of the stomach that protrudes through the diaphragm can reduce the movement of acid and improve symptoms. Learn more »
The POEM procedure is appropriate for less-common esophageal outlet problems like achalasia. This endoscopic technique involves cutting the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus to create a larger space for food to pass through the esophagus and into the stomach. Learn more »
The LINX System is a small flexible band of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores, which a surgeon places around the esophagus just above the stomach using a surgical technique called laparoscopy. The magnetic attraction between the beads is intended to help the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Learn more »
Reflux surgery is appropriate for patients who have uncontrolled symptoms that negatively affect their health or quality of life. Patients with these conditions may benefit from the long-lasting effects of reflux surgery.
If you have significant reflux symptoms, you should be evaluated by your physician, who will generally recommend an endoscopy to determine the exact cause of the problem. Based on the results of the endoscopy, the physician may recommend a specific type of reflux surgery.
The risks and side effects of reflux surgery vary, based on the type of procedure and the condition being treated. Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Your physician can discuss the specifics of the procedure that is most appropriate for your specific health goals.
Laparoscopic fundoplication, hiatal hernia repair, LINX and the POEM procedure are all minimally invasive surgical options that are usually performed in an outpatient setting with quick recovery and little downtime. Gastric bypass has a longer recovery time and may produce additional gastrointestinal side effects.
For most patients, reflux surgery provides better and longer-lasting results than medication. Following reflux surgical procedures, about 95% of patients are symptom-free and no longer require medication. About 85% of patients remain medication-free for the next 10 years.
The first step is making an accurate diagnosis. Because reflux is a broad term for a range of more specific conditions, it is extremely important to understand the precise cause of symptoms. Choosing the right surgeon and hospital system is critical to achieving lasting results from reflux surgery. The physicians affiliated with Memorial Hermann are at the forefront of the latest techniques and are dedicated to identifying the best possible option for each patient's individual needs.
For a referral to a reflux surgeon, please complete the form below. You may then proceed to enter your insurance information. If you don't have your insurance information ready, you will receive an email with a link to the referral request form that you can submit later at your convenience.