Reflux Cure Options Your Doctor May Advise
Those suffering with reflux will know just know painful and infuriating the condition can be. Whilst there are a number of natural treatments that often work, in some cases it is necessary to look to other methods for an effective reflux cure. Your doctor will advise you on whether you may need medication or surgery to prevent reflux.
Antacids or Other Medication
Antacids are commonly used to treat the symptoms of reflux, and relieve the pain of heartburn. However, they are not recommended for long-term use so your doctor will also advise other measures. They work by neutralising the pH levels in your stomach which can help to reduce the amount of acid.
Antacids may also be used in conjunction with a number of other drugs that either work to reduce the pH levels in your stomach or that strengthen the LES. Drugs can prove extremely successful in preventing reflux as well as treating individual symptoms, though in more severe cases it may be necessary to perform surgery in order to solve the problem.
Surgery
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the above drug treatments are usually successful as a reflux cure. However, in some cases there may be complications leaving surgery a necessary option. Your doctor will advise you of whether this is likely to be the case. Surgery will often provide a successful reflux cure.
Reflux surgery involves a procedure known as fundoplication, and can be done using laparoscopy which helps to pass small surgical tools into the abdomen to treat the condition. Therefore, there is no major incision. After surgery most of the symptoms and complications of GERD will have gone within the next few years. However, many patients will still continue to take drugs as a way of relieving symptoms. There is rarely the need for further surgery.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a newer treatment used as a reflux cure, specifically for those with GERD. It works to tighten the LES, which can help limit the chances of reflux. This can be done either by stitching part of the LES, or by using radio waves to create scar tissue that will tighten the area.
If doctors recommend endoscopy then this means you can avoid surgery for the treatment of reflux. However, due to the fact that this procedure is newer than surgery there is limited knowledge as to how successful the procedures are. It may be the case that they become less effective over time, resulting in the need for repeat procedures or further treatment measures. Therefore, endoscopy is most commonly used in trials at present.
Conclusion
If you suffer from reflux then it may be the case that a reflux cure comes in the form of dietary and lifestyle changes rather than medication or surgery. However, surgery can be a useful option to solve any complications. Your doctor will advise you as to which treatment method could work best, and would be most suitable, for you. It is important to seek advice before making any decisions as to the treatment you may like to take.
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Tags: Cure Foods Reflux, Foods Reflux, Natural Reflux Remedies
This entry was posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 11:15 am and is filed under Cure Foods Reflux, Reflux Remedies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.