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Treatments for Reflux or GERD

Don't suffer through or wait out frequent heartburn, chronic sore throat, or other symptoms of GERD. Treating chronic acid reflux can reduce discomfort and prevent long-term damage.

Treatments for Reflux or GERD

Don't suffer through or wait out frequent heartburn, chronic sore throat, or other symptoms of GERD. Treating chronic acid reflux can reduce discomfort and prevent long-term damage.

Treatments for Reflux or GERD Main Content

Treatments for Reflux or GERD

Do you struggle with persistent heartburn? Do your reflux symptoms keep you up at night? Have you been using antacids every day for more than two weeks? If so, our team at Baptist Health is here to help you.

What is the difference between Acid Reflux and GERD?

While acid reflux is a medical condition that ranges from mild to severe, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a chronic, more serious form of acid reflux. Common symptoms of GERD may include:

  • Frequent heartburn
  • Regurgitation
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Asthma symptoms
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Trouble staying asleep

Symptoms of GERD should not be managed by suffering through, or waiting it out. Chronic acid reflux causes more than acute discomfort; it can cause long-term damage and even cancer if left untreated.

How can we help you?

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Content Section 1

Meet the Surgeons

Surgeons providing care at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Beaches and Baptist Nassau can help you determine the best solution for your reflux symptoms.

Baptist Jacksonville:

Baptist Jacksonville and Baptist Nassau:

Baptist Beaches:

Content Section 2

Diagnosing GERD

Of course, some routine testing is needed before a final decision about treatment can be made. Standard diagnostic screenings typically include:

  • Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

    Using an endoscope (a long, flexible tube with a small light and camera at the end), doctors look down your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and into your duodenum.

  • Esophageal pH Test (48-hour Bravo)

    By placing a pH capsule to the wall of your esophagus, this test monitors whether acid is coming back into the esophagus.

  • Video Esophagram (VEG) for Dysmotility

    A barium swallow test, followed by a swallow of a piece of a bagel, followed by a swallow of a piece of marshmallow.

  • High Resolution Manometry (HRM)

    To measure the pressure in your esophagus a thin, small computerized tube, after you are numbed, is placed from your nose to your lower-esophageal sphincter while 10 swallows of water are evaluated in a resting position.

Content Section 3

Treatment Options for GERD

  • Lifestyle Changes and Medication

    Treatments typically start with lifestyle and dietary changes to relieve symptoms of reflux. Millions of people with GERD use over-the-counter medications or take prescription medications (such as H2 blockers, or PPI - proton pump inhibitors).

    However, taking medications long term can have dangerous side effects and is not recommended.

  • Minimally-Invasive Procedures

    If changing your diet or habits doesn’t help and you rely on medications to manage your symptoms, it may be time to consider another solution. Our team at Baptist Health specializes in minimally invasive procedures to give you long-term relief from reflux symptoms and help prevent more serious health issues.

    Using laparoscopic and robotic techniques, patients typically spend one night in the hospital for recovery.

  • illustration of linx reflux management system procedure

    LINX Reflux Management System

    The LINX© Reflux Management System is a small, flexible band of magnets enclosed in titanium beads. The system is implanted around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), just above the stomach. The magnetic beads keep the esophageal sphincter closed to help prevent reflux. The beads temporarily separate to allow food and liquid to pass into the stomach.

  • illustration of TIF procedure for reflux treatment

    TIF Procedure

    Transoral lncisionless Fundoplication (TIF) is an incisionless procedure that treats GERD by reconstructing the anti-reflux valve. Going through the mouth, there are no scars, minimizing complications and possibly leading to a quicker recovery.

  • illustration of the stomach organ with the fundoplication procedure done

    Fundoplication Procedures

    Fundoplication is a minimally-invasive surgical technique that reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter by wrapping part of the stomach around the bottom of the esophagus. Fundoplication is often done laparoscopically, which only involves small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeons are trained in both laparoscopic Nissen and Toupet fundoplication techniques.

  • illustration of gastric bypass procedure

    For Obese Patients: Gastric Bypass

    For patients who are morbidly obese, the best anti-reflux procedure is usually gastric bypass. Gastric bypass surgery treats GERD by creating a smaller stomach pouch and rerouting the digestive tract. This reduces stomach acid and food flow back into the esophagus, relieving GERD symptoms. In addition to reflux control, gastric bypass also allows successful weight loss and improvement in medical issues.

Content Section 4

Patient Stories

  • Patient Hope Tallon stands outside drinking a cup of coffee

    Oh my GERD

    Living with acid reflux doesn’t have to be your normal.

 
 
Physicians providing care at our hospitals are not employees or agents of the hospital.