Acid Reflux Symptoms Treatment
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Acid Reflux

With various acid reflux treatments ranging from medical therapy to newer non-surgical antireflux procedures such as the NDO Plicator, BARD EndoCinch Suturing System, , Dr. Anthony Starpoli can help you to find the best treatment for your Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Dr. Starpoli specializes in endoscopic, nonsurgical reflux therapy including the NDO Plicator, and EndoCinch.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

  • Other Treatments for acid reflux include:
    Antacids- These can and should be used more often. Generally, antacids should be taken 30 to 60 minutes after eating and at bedtime. Liquids are preferred to tablets, with the strongest being Maalox II, Mylanta II, Gelusil II and Extra Strength Riopan.
  • Alginic Acid and Antacids- Two products, Gaviscon and Algicon, place a layer of foam over the fluid in the stomach to prevent reflux. These tablets should be chewed well and used 30 to 60 minutes after eating and at bedtime.
  • Drugs- Medicines are now available that effectively reduces and even eliminates the secretion of stomach acid and increases the strength of the LES muscle. These medicines represent the most important method of treating reflux next to surgical or futuristic nonsurgical methods of correcting reflux. Other medications such as Reglan (generic- metoclopramide), and Urecholine (generic- bethanecol) directly increase the strength of the LES muscle. Unfortunately, these acid reflux drugs have certain adverse side effects and are not always helpful. Propulsid (generic- Cisapride) has been taken off the market due to it's cardiac side effects.
  • Endoscopic Surgery- Surgery can treat reflux. Those patients who are dependent on acid lowering agents may entertain an antireflux procedure. There are few patients who do not repsond to medical therapy and benefit from antireflux prcedures. Generally, however, a failure of medical therapy is not an indiction for surgery. Prior to any corrective procedure, a patient must undergo an extensive evaluation that should include combine pH-impedance testing assessing nonacid as well as acid reflux. The objective of this surgery is to strengthen the LES muscle. Successful surgery greatly relieves and can correct severe reflux and heartburn. A method of performing anti-reflux surgery is by laparoscopic technique whereby the surgery is accomplished through tiny holes in the belly button and upper abdomen. Recovery is quicker with this technique. However, the procedure is still an invasive surgery which has certain inherent risks and potential complications, and requires the use of general anesthesia. This operation should only be performed by qualified and experienced surgeons thoroughly familiar with it.

As Director of the GERD unit at St. Vincents Hospital Catholic Medical Center of New York and an Attending in Gastroenterology at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, New York, I am pleased to announce that nonsurgical, endoscopic methods for the treatment of reflux are now available. I offer two nonsurgical procedures: EndoCinch, the NDO Plicator. EndoCinch, also referred to as endoscopic fundoplication or endoluminal gastroplication, involves the use of a sewing device which attaches to the end of the video endoscope.

This instrument assembly allows the endoscopist to carefully place stitches in the stomach below the LES (ie. junction between the esophagus and the stomach). The application of these sutures produces a pleat in the upper part of the stomach which helps reduce the pressure against the LES and decreases the amount reflux. General anesthesia is not used, there are no surgical incisions, and recovery is quicker.

The team at St. Vincents Hospital and Medical Center of New York was the first center in New York to offer endoscopic fundoplication.Working in conjunction with the developer and manufacturer of the endoscopic suturing device, The GERD Unit at St. Vincents Hospital Catholic Medical Center has taken the lead in the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In addition to the EndoCinch, The NDO Plicator is another, newer suturing system that produces a full thickness plication and tightens the valve area so to reduce reflux. The NDO Plicator, like the other endoscopic reflux procedures, does not require general anesthesia and there are no incisions. Generally, these procedures are effective in reducing or eliminating drug therapy for reflux and in controlling symptoms.

Acid Reflux Treatment

Treatment for Acid Reflux Disease
• General measures the patient can take to reduce reflux are:
• Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Avoid eating before going to bed.
• Eliminate excessive bending, lifting, abdominal exercises, girdles and tight belts, all of which increase abdominal pressure and provoke reflux.
• If overweight, lose weight. Being overweight promotes reflux.
• Eliminate the use of nicotine (cigarettes), fatty foods, alcohol, all coffees (yes-including decaf), chocolate and peppermint.
• Elevate the head of the bed 8" to 10" by placing pillows or a wedge under the upper part of the mattress. In this way, gravity keeps stomach juices out of the esophagus while the patient sleeps. It is not enough to use two pillows under the head.
• Prescription medications - check with the physician regarding side effects of prescription drugs. Some drugs actually lower the strength of the LES muscle. These include anti-spasmotics (Levsin, Librax, Bentyl), calcium channel blocks (Procardia, Cardizem, Calan, Isoptin), anti-depressants (Elavil, Doxepia) and others.

For Acid Reflux Repair
Endoscopic, Nonsurgical Therapy, an Out-Patient Solution For GERD

Endoscopic Reflux Therapy including EndoCinch, and the NDO Plicator are exciting non-surgical methods used by Dr. Anthony Starpoli to treat Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This treatment is a breakthrough alternative to life-long medical therapy or invasive and costly surgery.

If you would like to find out more about solving your reflux and heartburn problems using non-invasive, out-patient procedure such as EndoCinch, and the NDO Plicator, please click here for more details. Click here should go to http://www.starpoli.com/endoscopic.html


Additional Resource Material

Learn more about EndoCinch!
 
   

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