Important Information On Acid Reflux Surgeon Conway AR

By Richard Hamilton


Although heartburn is commonly used to describe various digestive problems, it is normally a symptom of the gastroesophageal reflux disease. This condition arises when the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. As a result, a harsh, burning sensation arises between the ribs and the area just below the neck. However, this condition can be treated by an Acid Reflux surgeon Conway AR.

Normally, when a person eats, the food goes to the stomach through the esophagus. Usually, there is a ring of muscle at the lower end of the esophagus known as the sphincter. This muscle acts as valve only allowing food to pass into the stomach. The muscle should not allow the content of the stomach to back up into the esophagus. The sphincter muscle closes immediately to prevent the stomach juices that contain high acid contents from backing up.

Nevertheless, when these muscles in the lower section of the gullet do not function properly, it allows the flowing back of stomach juices thereby causing burns to the lower gullet. Consequently, the back-flow irritates and inflames the esophagus and could eventually cause damages to the gullet. Treating this condition remains vital as the untreated condition raises the risks of esophageal cancer development.

Commonly, some individuals can be born having weak sphincter muscles. Nevertheless, spillbacks may also be as a result of other factors. These factors can include the intake of fatty or spicy foods, drinking alcohol, some medications, tight clothing, vigorous exercises, smoking as well as adjusting your body position by bending or lying down. In other individuals, a condition referred to as hiatal hernia in which the upper section of the stomach swells outward above the diaphragm the chest cavity. Consequently, this phenomena cause the acid refluxes to develop.

Usually, mild and moderate symptoms associated to acid reflux may be handled through diet and lifestyle changes. In addition, prescription medications like antacids could as well aid in the relief of the symptoms. Unfortunately, medicines and lifestyle adjustments may at times fail. Hence, surgery becomes a preferable choice. Surgery is generally recommended to replacing or repairing valves at the esophageal base to prevent backward spillage of stomach contents.

Normally, the surgical treatment is recommended if there are serious complications as result of this condition. For instance, the acidic backflow may cause inflammations in the esophagus, resulting in ulcers and bleeding. As a result, the scars due to tissue damage may constrict esophagus making it difficult to swallow. However, surgical treatment is normally the last resort as your doctor try to manage the symptoms through the less invasive treatment.

The surgical treatment ensures that the acidic juices of the stomach are permanently prevented from flowing back into the esophagus. At the same time, the surgery eliminates the long-term medications that may result in other side effects.

After the surgical treatment, recovery differs with the type of surgery, although it primarily depends on whether the surgical procedure was laparoscopic or traditional. Generally, the laparoscopic procedure has less pain and recovery is often quicker, but it might not be ideal for all patient with acid reflux.




About the Author: