by Peter on March 11, 2010
Medical professionals will sometimes recommend a change of lifestyle and eating habits, before they prescribe. Sometimes this is all a patient needs to do in order to minimize the effects of Acid Reflux.
However, when patients have tried the lifestyle changes, and still suffer from Acid Reflux, medical intervention may be required. A medical professional is most likely to prescribe one of the following, as these are the most common treatments after lifestyle changes have failed to solve the problem.
The prescription choice very much depends on the patients individual history and the specifics of their condition:
- Histamine antagonists, such as Tagamet
- Proton Pump Inhibitors, such as Prilosec
- Pro-Motility drugs, such as Reglan
As always, consult your medical profession in the first instance.
by Peter on March 2, 2010
A new form of surgery, called transoral incisionless fundoplication, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007. Unlike traditional acid reflux surgery, transoral incisionless fundoplication doesn’t require an incision.
The surgery repairs the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. The surgeon goes through the mouth and down the esophagus to repair the sphincter.
Surgeons are undergoing training in the new procedure at hospitals such as Allegan General Hospital, located at Linn Street, Allegan, MI. The surgery is also offered by the GERD program of Long Island Minimally Invasive Surgery, located on Long Island, New York.
A two year study of the procedure concluded:
The results at 2 years supported the long-term safety and durability of TIF and its sustained effect on the elimination of heartburn, esophagitis, ?2 cm hiatal hernia, and daily dependence on PPIs.
