Surgeon Shares Good News for GERD Sufferers

Q: WHAT IS GERD?
A: GERD is a gastroesophageal reflux disease, a digestive disorder, caused by either a hiatal hernia or faulty valve between the esophagus and stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter).

When the sphincter is too relaxed, stomach acid flows backward causing reflux. This may cause the esophagus to become irritated, and it can result in a painful burning sensation in the throat and chest.

GERD affects approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. at least weekly.* While more common in people older than 40, it can affect people of any age, according to Dr. Yelverton.

Q: WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF GERD?
A: The most common symptoms are heartburn, chest pain, upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, coughing, sore throat, weight loss and difficulty swallowing.

Q: HOW IS GERD DIAGNOSED?
A: Your physician can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and provide a treatment plan. However, if symptoms do not improve, your doctor might order further testing.

Q: WHAT IS A HIATAL HERNIA AND HOW IS IT RELATED TO REFLUX?
A: A hiatal hernia is a defect in the diaphragm muscle in which the stomach bulges through into the chest. Any size hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up causing reflux.

Q: WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS?
A: Your physician may recommend an approach that surgically addresses both hiatal hernia and GERD. The two-part procedure includes a a hiatal hernia repair with concomitant transoral incisionless fundoplication or cTIF.

Q: HOW SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ARE THESE TREATMENTS?
A: The procedure may offer less complications with similar results compared to the traditional hiatal hernia repair and older techniques used for anti-reflux surgery.**

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*https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd.asp |

**https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9812651 | Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if surgery is right for you. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website. 242018800-2111422 9/24