Surgical treatment
The standard surgical treatment, sometimes preferred over longtime use of medication, is the Nissen fundoplication. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the LES to strengthen the sphincter and prevent acid reflux and to repair a hiatal hernia. The procedure is often done laparoscopically.
An obsolete treatment is vagotomy ("highly selective vagotomy"), the surgical removal of vagus nerve branches that innervate the stomach lining. This treatment has been largely replaced by medication.
Other treatments
In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two endoscopic devices to treat chronic heartburn. One system, Endocinch, puts stitches in the LES to create little pleats that help strengthen the muscle. Another, the Stretta Procedure, uses electrodes to apply radio frequency energy to the LES. The long term outcomes of both procedures compared to a Nissen fundoplication are still being determined.
Subsequently the NDO Surgical Plicator was FDA cleared for the endoscopic treatment of GERD. The Plicator creates a plication, or fold, of tissue near the gastroesophageal junction, and fixates the plication with a suture-based implant. The Plicator is currently marketed by NDO Surgical, Inc..
Another treatment which involved injection of a solution that is injected during endoscopy into the lower esophageal wall was available for approximately one year ending in late 2005. It was marketed under the name Enteryx. It was removed from the market due to several reports of complications from misplaced injections.
Barrett's esophagus
Barrett's esophagus, a type of dysplasia, is a precursor high-grade dysplasia, which is in turn a precursor condition for carcinoma. The risk of progression from Barrett's to dysplasia is uncertain but is estimated to include 0.1% to 0.5% of cases, and has probably been exaggerated in the past. Due to the risk of chronic heartburn progressing to Barrett's, EGD every 5 years is recommended for patients with chronic heartburn, or who take medication for GERD chronically.
GERD has been linked to laryngitis, chronic cough, pulmonary fibrosis, earache, and asthma, even when not clinically apparent, as well as to laryngopharyngeal reflux and ulcers of the vocal cords.
Natural Remedies
Active Manuka Honey
What are the benefits of using Active Manuka Honey as a natural treatment for acid reflux?
There are NO known side effects to Active Manuka Honey - unless you are allergic to honey itself. Manuka Honey can be taken alongside other medication, according to your doctors recommendations.
Active Manuka Honey is an all natural, antibacterial, medicinal honey from the wild, un-cultivated tea tree bush (leptospermum scoparium) from New Zealand. This honey is used for both internal as well as external ulcer treatment. Active Manuka Honey has natural antibiotic properties defined as UMF (Unique Manuka Factor). For more information, click on UMF Rating.
Active Manuka Honey helps to protect, coat, soothe and heal the damaged tissue of the esophagus caused by acid reflux. Expect to take Active Manuka Honey for 3-6 months. Active Manuka Honey has no know side effects (unless you are allergic to honey itself...), and can therefore be used as an all natural long term treatment for acid reflux. Active Manuka Honey also helps to coat, protect and heal the damaged lining of the esophagus and / or help to heal an esophagus ulcer all naturally.
People usually feel a difference within just 3-6 days. Improvement include less or no pain after a meal, less heartburn, less intense acid reflux symptoms, natural healing of an ulcerated esophagus. Always seek medical advice first, before trying a natural remedy.
Advantages of treating acid reflux with Active Manuka Honey?
No known side effects - unless one is allergic to honey or the tea tree plant itself (leptospermum scoparium)
Supported by extensive research
Natural remedy for acid reflux, esophagus ulcer, esophagitis, GERD and other GI tract disorders such as upset stomach, stomach ulcer, h. pylori, ibs
Soothing and natural coating to help heal the esophagus
Can be used long-term
Easy to use and safe
Anti-inflammatory effect
Antibacterial effect 4 times greater than standard Antiseptic (minimum 18% carbolic equivalent)
Naturally seem to destroy staphaureus, streptococcus and h. pylori (helicobacter pylori)
Cost effective
How is Active Manuka Honey taken to help sooth acid reflux symptoms?
Take 1 teaspoon of Active Manuka Honey 3-4 times per day on a small square inch size piece of bread, toast, slice or bagel, slice of banana or piece of apple, 20-30 minutes before meals, to coat out the internal tract including the esophagus.
You do not have to follow manuka honey intake with a meal - as long as you take the honey 3x per day, as described above. If you take the honey by itself - without the bread or fruit, the honey will dissolve too quickly in the blood stream and will barely reach the stomach, therefore you need to attach the honey to 'anything' one-bite size, in order to transport the honey through the entire body. Active Manuka Honey is used for the entire gastro-intestinal tract from acid reflux, heartburn, up-set stomach, stomach ulcer, h. pylori, duodenum ulcer, diverticulitis, ibs (irritable bowel syndrome).
How long will it take until I feel a difference when taking Active Manuka Honey for acid reflux symptoms?
People will typically feel a difference after just 3-6 days, when taking 3x1 teaspoon of active manuka honey attached to a small piece of bread, or toast, or slice of banana or apple (1 bite size), 20-30 minutes before meals.
How do I store Active Manuka Honey?
Store Honey at room temperature. There is no need for refrigeration. Do not leave the honey in direct sunlight. Store honey in kitchen cupboard or first aid closet.
Other remedies: Cabbage juice, apples (especially pureed), apple cidar vinegar, cola syrup, and rose water.
If your symptoms persist more than 2 weeks, consult the appropriate healthcare professional
(PART 2)
What ever your goals are - freedom from arthritis pain, clear skin, lose weight, and, so on, there is a product for you - for more information/ to order, just click on the links below, at the far right - you will be REDIRECTED.
About the Author: Clyde Nassif is an international lecturer and Holistic Consultant with a client base in Houston, TX. He is a noted author of many blogs on health and personal issues across the Internet. He does both training on personal (in-home appointments only) as well as group sessions. Submit any questions you may have or to schedule a session(two week notice needed) to :
Visit his web site at:
http://www.naturescorner.com/
UPDATES
DISCLAIMER: The information in this column, is NOT intended to diagnose and/or treat any health related issues and is provided solely for informational purposes only. Consult the appropriate healthcare professional before making any changes to your healthcare regime. Even what may seem like simple changes in the diet for example, can interact with, and alter, the efficiency of medications and/or the body’s response to the medications. Many herbs and supplements exert powerful medicinal effects. Neither the author, nor the web site designers, assume any responsibility for the reader’s use or misuse of this information.
© 2002 Nature’s Corner
Clyde T. Nassif, Holistic Consultant, Houston, TX
832-292-8057(NO PHONE CONSULTATIONS-appointments ONLY)
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