Reflux & Heartburn Fast Track
„There is no reflux without failure of the anti reflux mechanism within the lower end of the esophagus, i.e. lower oesophageal sphincter; LES“.Reflux develops, when the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) fails. Reflux happens without and with enlarged hole of the diaphragm (hernia).
Causes: hereditary (weak connective tissue); unhealthy eating behaviour (sugar, alcohol); lifting of heavy weights; pregnancy; drugs (tranquillisers, cannabis) and nicotine.
Effect: gastric acid fluid returns into the oesophagus, neck, throat, sinusoids, oral cavity and lungs.
Consequences: Due to the reflux symptoms typically develop 20 - 60 min after a meal (heartburn,, gas bloat, fullness, cough, wheezing, asthma).
Diagnosis and therapy follows the Riegler Method and aims to eliminate those things, which impair your life quality and wellbeing:
- the symptoms
- cancer risk in those with Barrett’s oesophagus.
Diagnosis identifies the cause (failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter; LES) and the manifestation of the reflux (inflammation, cancer risk, reflux qualities) and includes:
- take of the patient history (45-60 min)
- sedated gastroscopy (+biopsy sampling)
- histopathology of the biopsies (novel US American Chandrasoma classification)
- high resolution impedance manometry and 24 hr reflux monitoring (oesophageal function, qualities of the reflux).
Therapy corrects the failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) via
- transient administration of medicine (acid neutraliser, proton pump inhibitor; PPI)= for max. 2-3 months.
- nutrition & life style (Riegler Method)
- reflux surgery (surgical hernia and sphincter repair; fundoplication; LINX; endostim)
- reflux follow up.
This site informs you about straight forward diagnosis and therapy of reflux, abdominal pain and Barrett’s oesophagus (Riegler Method).