More Than Heartburn: Surgical Options Offer Lasting Reflux Relief

For many people, heartburn is an occasional annoyance after a spicy meal or late-night snack. But for millions of Americans living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the condition can become a daily struggle that affects sleep, comfort, and overall quality of life.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, about 1 in 5 people in the U.S. has GERD. The most common symptoms are heartburn and regurgitation, or a feeling of fluid, food or stomach acid coming up into the chest or throat.

One concern with ongoing, active acid reflux that is poorly controlled or untreated is the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus occurs when the normal lining of the esophagus is replaced with intestinal-like cells as a protection to ongoing acid in the esophagus. This change is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.

While medications can help manage symptoms, many patients don’t realize that effective surgical options can address the underlying cause of reflux. GERD occurs when the valve between the esophagus and the stomach doesn’t function properly, allowing stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. This reflux can cause the familiar burning sensation known as heartburn, but symptoms often extend beyond that.

Many people associate reflux with heartburn, but it can present in other ways. Chronic cough, hoarseness, shortness of breath, and even chest pain that mimics a heart attack can sometimes be caused by reflux.

Many GERD patients take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or pantoprazole to reduce stomach acid. While these medications can relieve symptoms, they do not stop reflux from occurring. Instead, they reduce the acidity of the stomach contents that flow back into the esophagus.

Medications can make reflux more comfortable, but they don’t fix the underlying problem. When we’re thinking about long-term solutions, we want to focus on stopping the reflux itself.

Patients may benefit from a surgical evaluation if medications no longer fully control symptoms, if they have a hiatal hernia, or if they want to reduce or eliminate their need for long-term medication.

Many people are familiar with fundoplication, a procedure that has been used for decades to treat reflux. During the surgery, part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus to strengthen the valve that prevents reflux.

While occasional heartburn is common, frequent symptoms may signal a more serious condition. Anyone experiencing persistent heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough, hoarseness, unexplained chest discomfort, or difficulty swallowing should talk with their healthcare provider.

Reflux is a very common disease, and many patients don’t realize how many treatment options are available. The good news is that we can often identify the cause and help people get lasting relief.