Why You Shouldn't Ignore Acid Reflux

Symptoms of acid reflux affect about one-third of American adults, putting them at risk for more serious health complications if left untreated.

At Sierra Pacific Surgical, our providers offer minimally invasive acid reflux surgery to prevent such complications. While surgery isn’t typically the first treatment option for occasional acid reflux, it may be necessary if reflux has been a chronic problem.

We offer consultations to evaluate your upper gastrointestinal health and determine if you’re a candidate for acid reflux surgery. Our laparoscopic surgeons also provide comprehensive aftercare services to ensure you heal fully from surgery.

Why you have acid reflux

Acid reflux describes the backflow of stomach acids into your esophagus and throat. The acid regurgitation results from weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a band of muscle around the bottom of the esophagus.

The LES opens when you eat or drink to allow food and liquids to pass through into the stomach, and then it closes again. If the muscle is weak, it may not close fully, which allows acids to flow back into the esophagus.

When dysfunction in the LES occurs frequently, you may be diagnosed with chronic acid reflux, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Risk factors for GERD include:

• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy
• Smoking

If you eat a lot of fried or fatty foods, consume alcohol or coffee, or take certain medications, you may also be at higher risk for acid reflux and GERD.

Consequences of untreated GERD

The backflow of stomach acids irritates and inflames the esophageal tissues. Without treatment, the tissues can sometimes bleed, and ulcers may form. You might often have symptoms like:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Sore throat
• Bad breath

Over time, chronic acid regurgitation can lead to scar tissue, which narrows your esophagus and makes swallowing food and liquids difficult. You may choke when eating and develop a chronic cough as a result of esophageal narrowing.

A more concerning complication of untreated GERD is Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that occurs from acid damage in the esophageal lining. Precancerous cell changes can significantly increase your risk for esophageal cancer and the spread of cancer to other areas of your body.

When to consider acid reflux surgery

We at Sierra Pacific Surgical typically recommend acid reflux surgeries for adults who aren’t getting GERD symptom relief from medications and lifestyle changes. We may also suggest surgery if you have excessive scar tissue, a narrowed esophagus, or Barrett’s esophagus.

During surgery, we focus on tightening the LES, so it closes properly and keeps acids in your stomach. Fundoplication surgery involves wrapping the top part of your stomach around the bottom part of your esophagus.

We also offer LINX™ surgery, a procedure to place a small band of titanium beads around the lower part of your esophagus. The LINX device has a magnetic core that attracts the beads to close the LES.

Both types of surgery are minimally invasive and require only small incisions. This means you can spend less downtime than you might after traditional surgery, so you can get back to work and other activities sooner.

Call your nearest Sierra Pacific Surgical office in Folsom, Roseville, Sacramento, or Grass Valley, California, today to schedule an acid reflux surgical consultation or use the online feature to request an appointment.