Acid Reflux Disease and Heartburn Surgery

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the acidic fluid inside your stomach backflows up into your esophagus. The acid can damage the inner lining of the esophagus and lead to pain as well as possible complications later on such as inflammation, stricture, and even esophageal cancer.

Treating GERD is usually a matter of taking medication or changing your diet to eliminate trigger foods and making some other lifestyle changes.  However, in some cases, you may need acid reflux surgery to fix the problem. Preeti Malladi provides heartburn surgery for residents of Plano and the greater Dallas area.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Animation

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux is generally characterized by heartburn, regurgitation of stomach acid (“wet burping”), and general discomfort of the stomach (called dyspepsia). If these occur frequently, it may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Causes of Acid Reflux

But what causes acid reflux disease? There are a number of factors that put you at higher risk for GERD, including:

• Weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which keeps the bottom of the esophagus closed.
• Obesity
• Hiatal hernia, in which the stomach pokes up through the diaphragm
• Smoking
• Certain trigger foods
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Pregnancy

Depending on the cause of your GERD, you may benefit from the services of a stomach surgeon. Contact Dr. Malladi for more details on whether acid reflux surgery would be right for your or your loved one.

Tests, Diagnosis, and Treatment

GERD can be diagnosed via the following methods:

• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Biopsy
• Barium swallow radiograph
• pH monitoring
• Esophageal manometry

Once diagnosed, treatment will take any of a number of forms depending on its root cause. Dr. Malladi uses the following types of acid reflux surgery to help Dallas patients:

• Hiatal hernia repair
• Nissen fundoplication, which reinforces the LES by wrapping a bit of the stomach around the esophagus
• LINX procedure, which uses magnets to strengthen a weak LES
• Achalasia surgery

When seeking treatment for GERD, it’s important to see a doctor who has the right set of skills and knowledge to see you through the process successfully. Dr. Malladi is a skilled reflux surgeon in the Dallas and Plano area who can help you through the process. For the help you need to overcome GERD, call today to schedule an appointment.