Episode 73: Do You Suffer From Acid Reflux?

Bob suffered heartburn in his teens. He lived on Tums and graduated to Prilosec which he took for 35 years! What is acid reflux? Technically, it’s called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe (esophagus) and irritates the lining. At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If the LES doesn’t close all the way or if it opens up too often, acid produced by your stomach can move up into the esophagus.

One common cause of acid reflux disease is a stomach abnormality called a hiatal hernia. This occurs when the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm, a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps keeps acid in our stomach. But, if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux disease. This is what happened to Bob.

A little back story on Bob’s family history. His grandfather died from this disease because of his lack of effort to address it. When the acid hit his aorta, he bled to death.

Upon a doctor’s visit, Bob was told about Linx Esophageal Surgery. This is a new, revolutionary procedure in GERD surgery. A small device is implanted through minimally invasive techniques that reinforces the LES, keeping stomach acid out of the esophagus and preventing the uncomfortable effects of GERD.

Bob had this surgery done. The first month of recovery was the worst of it. He had to eat very slowly. Bob is very happy with the results as his acid reflux issues are gone.