GERD occurs as a result of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, which causes unpleasant symptoms that require treatment. Fortunately, Turkey has become one of the best countries to do GERD surgey.
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus as a result of inadequate closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, which leads to stomach acid passing the opposite way through the esophagus to the mouth.
Gastric acid reflux, or heartburn occur naturally for everyone from time to time, but if it occurs continuously and repeatedly for a long time, this may indicate GERD.
So the main cause of GERD is a defect at the level of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Causes of GERD
In the case of GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly or opens frequently outside eating times, either because of low esophageal sphincter pressure or because of frequent relaxation of the sphincter or because of high pressure within the abdomen where there are some factors that contribute to this, including:
- Some foods cause low esophageal sphincter pressure (chocolate and spicy foods)
- Some medications cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (nitroglycerin).
- high intra-abdominal pressure (obesity or pregnancy and chronic constipation)
- Delayed emptying of stomach contents
- Hiatal hernia Which leads to high pressure in the abdomen
symptoms of GERD
GERD patients suffer from many symptoms, the most important of which are:
- Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD (a painful burning feeling in the chest).
- Frequent regurgitation or acid returning to the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- hoarseness
- chronic cough
- Throat and chest pain
- inability to sleep
- bad taste
- Constant crying and refusal to eat for children
Treatment for GERD in Turkey
GERD can be treated in several ways, depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's wishes. It is possible that GERD can be treated at home through medications, or a surgical procedure can be used to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patient.
Diet and lifestyle changes
It is the first line of treatment for patients who are able to make lifestyle modifications such as:
- Weight loss (in case of obesity)
- Avoid foods that lower the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (such as chocolate and fatty food)
- Avoid eating before going to bed
- Do not eat large quantities of food
- Quit smoking and alcohol
Medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease
If lifestyle changes do not improve the patient's condition, the doctor will prescribe medications to relieve symptoms.
The best drugstore treatment for GERD and gastritis is:
Antacid drugs
It is the basic medical treatment of GERD, as it is given after each meal and before bed. It works by reducing the acidity of the stomach, which relieves the patient from the symptoms of GERD. The two most common types of antacids are H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
Gastroesophageal reflux surgery in Türkiye
When the patient does not respond to previous treatments and the symptoms of GERD become worse, surgical methods are resorted to for treatment.
In fact, the surgical techniques that are used to treat GERD have developed throughout history. Currently, the surgery is performed laparoscopically, which has a quick recovery time and a very low risk.
We in Bimaristan Medical Center ensure that you get the best medical treatment available in turkey, you can contact us anytime if you need more details about GERD. one of the most important methods used For permanent treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease are one of the following:
Transoral fundoplication (TIF) in Türkiye
it is considered as a safe and effective technique to treat GERD, this surgery does not involve making any incisions, but is entered through the mouth, where the lower esophageal sphincter is reconstructed by bending part of the bottom of the stomach using an advanced device.
This procedure usually come with no complications, no surgical incisions, and a short recovery time. The surgery takes about 50 minutes, and the patient can return to his normal life within several days.
Laparoscopic surgery
With this process, the doctor makes small incisions around the abdomen and then inserts the endoscope (a tube containing a camera) and with some tools and by directing thefor binoculars He bends part of the upper stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter and then the incisions are closed.
This procedure has a faster recovery, less pain, and short hospital stay.
Nissen open surgery for the treatment of GERD in Türkiye
With this procedure, the doctor makes a large incision in the abdomen and then manually bends the upper part of the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter.
This surgery requires a longer recovery period and a prolonged hospital stay, and the risk rate and complications are higher than laparoscopic surgery. Here's a video showing the process:
Installing a LINUX device
This device is like a ring made of titanium beads with a magnetic ring in the middle, which is surgically placed through the endoscope around the lower esophageal sphincter.
The device works to raise the pressure of the sphincter to prevent food from returning to the esophagus, and at the same time, the ring does not affect the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach.
After GERD surgery
The patient may experience temporary sore throat after surgery that lasts for a day or two.
After surgery, the patient will need a nasogastric tube (NGT) temporarily to remove secretions from the stomach during the recovery time.
The patient may need a temporary intravenous leak so that he can eat again, as the patient does not eat anything before passing gas or defecate to ensure the safety of the digestive system. The recovery period depends on the type of surgery that is open or using endoscopy.
GERD complications
Esophageal reflux, if left untreated, leads to complications that may be dangerous because the esophageal epithelium cannot tolerate acid, which causes constant irritation of the esophageal epithelium. We mention some complications related to GERD:
- Erosive esophagitisinflammation occurs due to necrosis of the superficial layers of the esophageal mucosa with acidic gastric secretions.
- Barrett esophagus: As a result of continuous irritation of the esophageal mucosa with acid, the esophageal epithelium changes as the columnar epithelium replaces the normal stratified squamous epithelium.
Barrett's esophagus is the most dangerous complication of GERD, as Barrett's esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer . - esophageal stenosis: Occurs as a result of the continuous irritation of the esophageal mucosa with acid, the mucosa is repeatedly renewed and collagen is deposited during the regeneration phase, which eventually leads to the addition of the oesophageal cavity.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis methods in Turkey
The clinical history of the patient and the symptoms play the most important role in making the diagnosis of GERD, and a distinction must be made between normal acid reflux that occurs from time to time and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The following methods help to approach and study the complications that occur:
- response to antacids: The doctor prescribes antacid medications and asks the patient to see the doctor after a period of time in case the patient suffers from GERD and his symptoms do not improve, i.e. he does not respond to these medications.
- upper endoscopyAn endoscope is inserted through the mouth, which is a flexible tube that holds a camera at the bottom. This method is used to exclude other causes or to detect possible complications of GERD, where the tissue of the esophagus and stomach is seen, and a biopsy can be taken from the esophagus to study possible pathological changes.
- pH studyIn this method, sensors are placed in the esophagus to study the pH, where a tube is inserted through the nose or mouth and the sensors are placed in the esophagus, the patient returns home and after 24 hours, the pH of the esophagus is calculated through the existing sensors, if the pH is high This may indicates the presence of acid reflux esophageal
- esophageal motility study: This technique enables us to study the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, where the pressure of the lower sphincter can be calculated. This technique is useful in order to verify the function of the esophageal muscles
Prevention of gastroesophageal reflux disease
To avoid the risk of GERD, some lifestyle modifications can be made, including:
- Maintain a good weight and avoid obesity
- Quit smoking and alcohol
- Changing the angle of the bed when sleeping, i.e. raising the front
- Avoid eating a lot before bed
- Avoid foods that lower esophageal sphincter pressure
- Do not lie down immediately after eating
The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease
GERD is one of the most common health problems related to the digestive system. The following numbers and percentages are attributed to GERD:
18 to 27% residents of the United States of America suffer from GERD.
It affects young people and old as well, but the possibility of infection in adults is greater and affects both men and women, but GERD tends to affect women more.