Gastroesophageal reflux is a digestive system disease that occurs when stomach acid contents leak back into the esophagus. Hiatal hernia is the displacement of the stomach upwards towards the rib cage. In both diseases, the functional valve between the esophagus and stomach does not work and the stomach acid content escapes into the esophagus.
HOW DOES IT SYMPTOM?
Indigestion, bloating, bitterness in the mouth. It occurs with symptoms such as sour water, bad breath, burning stomach and chest wall, sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Some patients may think they are having a heart attack. Some patients may experience respiratory complaints such as asthma.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
In addition to reflux negatively affecting social life, acid content escaping into the esophagus in the long term can cause cancer. Also, especially if you have a stomach hernia; Rarely, it can cause life-threatening situations such as bleeding, perforation and obstruction.
HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Reflux is mainly understood by the patient's complaints. The diagnosis is confirmed with auxiliary methods such as endoscopy, PH monitoring and manometry.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
The first stage of reflux treatment is diet, change in standard of living, weight loss, if any. weight loss and the lifelong use of stomach protective drugs. It is necessary to follow special rules and nutrition styles, which we can call reflux diet.
General rules to be followed are as follows:
- Since each person's sensitivity is different, the patient's It is important for the reflux diet to stay away from the trigger food that it notices.
- Eat small bites about 3 hours before bedtime.
- The body should be high from the waist up to benefit from the effect of gravity while sleeping. Special tiltable beds can be used for this.
- Stop or reduce the use of all kinds of tobacco products. Avoid chewing gum and candy.
- Avoid late evening snacks, avoid tight clothing.
- Oily or fried foods, milk, chocolate, creamy foods or soups, fast food foods, citrus fruits and juices (grapefruit, orange, pineapple, tomato), coffee and other, caffeinated Soft drinks and tea increase your reflux. Stay away from these foods.
WHAT IS DONE WITH THE SURGERY?
In reflux surgery, the patient's abdomen is not opened with a large incision. Called the laparoscopic method; A closed system method is used, using small holes and special tools and a video camera. In this method, reflux is prevented by folding the stomach over the esophagus. If there is a hiatal hernia, the stomach is fixed in its normal place and the opening called hiatus is narrowed to prevent it from going up again.
Read: 0
