GERD Treatment Options
A number of options are available to treat GERD including: lifestyle changes, drug treatment, surgical treatment, and the Plicator® treatment.
Lifestyle Changes
Infrequent heartburn may be controlled by lifestyle modifications such as weight reduction, smoking cessation, and eating modifications. Eating smaller meals may reduce reflux since large meals increase stomach pressure which may allow contents to back up into the esophagus. Since stomach acid production is at its peak after eating, many reflux sufferers will avoid lying down for several hours following a meal. Certain foods may aggravate symptoms (such as spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol), but diet alone does not cause GERD. For patients with moderate to severe heartburn, lifestyle changes alone may not completely relieve symptoms.
Medical Treatment
Prescription medications such as Nexium® or Prevacid® can provide significant relief of heartburn symptoms. These drug treatments are not designed to stop the physical reflux of non-acid gastric contents and their associated symptoms, especially regurgitation, chest pain and cough. Patients often need to take these drugs for their entire life; since GERD symptoms will typically return once medication has been discontinued.
Surgical Treatment
Anti-reflux surgery, performed through open or laparoscopic incisions in the abdominal wall, can be effective in treating the underlying mechanical defect present in GERD. One such surgery, the Nissen fundoplication, involves wrapping a portion of the stomach around the esophagus to reinforce the weakened valve mechanism that is present in GERD. While effective, these surgeries require general anesthesia , overnight hospitalization and a recovery period lasting several days.
The Plicator® Treatment
The Plicator is a flexible device that is introduced through the mouth and into the stomach similar to a routine endoscopy. The Plicator tightens the muscular valve between the stomach and the esophagus, thus restoring the body’s natural barrier mechanism to gastric reflux. Patients are treated on an outpatient basis and are typically able to return to normal activities the following day.