GERD and Hiatal Hernias
Many adults have heard of GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Up to 20% to 30% of the adult population has symptoms of GERD.
“Essentially, it is a condition where acid that's supposed to stay in the stomach has made its way up into your esophagus,” explains Dr. Malachi McCurdy of Washington Regional General Surgery Clinic. He says there’s also often a link between GERD and another condition.
“A hiatal hernia is one of the most likely contributing factors to reflux disease. A hiatal hernia is a defect in the diaphragm. Your stomach is supposed to stay in the abdomen, but it will actually migrate into the chest through that hiatus, or the defect in the diaphragm. That can contribute to GERD or can cause its own symptoms,” McCurdy says.
Treatment options for GERD usually include lifestyle modification or antacid medications. For people who are still having symptoms on the medication, surgical options are available.
“We have robotic surgery technology now where surgeons like me and the other surgeons at Washington Regional General Surgery Clinic can operate in very small areas. And we can create a higher-pressure zone so that the acid doesn't come back up into the patient's esophagus,” McCurdy says.
Patients who undergo a surgical procedure to correct their hiatal hernia and reflux typically stay in the hospital overnight and have a follow up visit with their surgeon a couple of weeks following the procedure to make sure they are healing properly.
“If the patient is tolerating their food and their symptoms have greatly improved, then I will proceed with a trial of having them come off their medical therapy and lifestyle modifications,” McCurdy explains. “Usually, a patient’s recovery time is about two weeks. After that, if they're doing well then, any post-surgical restrictions will be released, and they shouldn't have any more problems.”
To learn more about surgical treatment options for hiatal hernia and GERD or to request an appointment, call 479.521.3300, or click here.