Acid reflux Surgery – What are the available procedures?

Acid reflux is the most unpleasant sensation that we encounter. There isn’t anyone who hasn’t experienced it at least once in their lifetimes. Acid reflux or heartburn occurs due to a lot of reasons, the most common amongst them being over eating, poor digestion or indigestion, interaction of some medication with the body, low intake of water, etc. there are many reasons which are liable for heartburn or acid reflux. Depending upon one’s condition, it can easily be treated at home with home remedies. But before we expand let’s understand what exactly is Acid Reflux.

We humans consume food which travels through the oesophagus and to the stomach where it is digested with the help of several acids. At the base of our oesophagus, where it connects with the stomach, there is a small muscle. This muscle is known as LES. The purpose of this LES is to let the food pass from the oesophagus to the stomach. Sometimes, this Sphincter doesn’t work properly and the food consumed travels back up the oesophagus causing heartburn. While in moderate cases, home remedies work fine and relieves the patient in severe cases however one might need to opt for surgery if medication also does not come to the rescue.

What are the procedures of Acid reflux Surgery?

Acid reflux Surgery can be done in various ways. It can be an open surgery or a laparoscopic one or can also be a procedure which doesn’t require any kind of incision. Depending on the patient’s condition, severity of the problem, frequency of Acid Reflux happening, the doctor might suggest any one of the above-mentioned procedures. Acid reflux is a lifestyle disorder and in most up to moderate cases it can be treated by eating right and making a few lifestyle choices.

Talking about the kind of procedures that are done to treat GERD or gastro oesophageal reflux disease, as acid reflux is called, we can understand the severity.

The first option is an open surgery which is known as Fundoplication.

It is a standard open surgical treatment to tighten and reinforce the LES. In an open Fundoplication, the surgeon makes a long incision in the stomach to access the oesophagus. It can also be performed as a laparoscopic procedure making smaller but multiple incisions and inserting miniature apparatus to make it less invasive.

The second option is TIF or Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication

Even this procedure is quite popular. When following this one, a device is inserted into the body. This instrument is designed to construct a lot of folds near the sphincter which ensures that the food consumed does not travel up again. It requires no incision and is thus easy to insert.

How Apple Cider Vinegar can help?

While surgery may sound too severe an option to control Acid reflux, a popular home-made remedy of Apple Cider Vinegar can be quite effective in eradicating Acid Reflux. The acetic acid in Apple Cider Vinegar increases the secretion of digestive juices which help in better digestion in turn leading to less chances of Acid Reflux. Apple Cider Vinegar For Heartburn is no doubt considered as the best option.

While there are a lot of ways to treat Acid Reflux, it is always advisable to consult with a doctor before self-diagnosis.