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) Incisionless surgery for heartburn goes for the throat
"The quality of life issues related to reflux really can be severe. In fact, GERD can lead to the development of a need for a lung transplant, and we see that all the time. They're [breathing in stomach acids] and they're scarring and then the lungs don't work ... [and] reflux disease is a big risk factor, the main risk factor, for esophageal cancer, which is a lethal disease."Most reflux patients, however, don't develop that cancer. Only about 1 percent or fewer appear to get esophageal cancer.
Dr. Jobe diagnosed Mrs. Crawford's complication as probable adult-onset asthma. More important, he also provided what is, if its short track record holds up, a cure for both the heartburn and the asthma.
It's a brand-new incisionless surgery he helped to pioneer in the United States called transoral incisionless endoscopic fundoplication, or EsophX. More>>
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) People With Reflux Should Consider Surgery
The study's results also suggest that surgery should be routinely performed in patients with chronic acid reflux.However, experts say some doctors view such surgery as "too extreme".The scientists will now follow the patients for five years to assess the long-term benefits.Reflux is a very common condition experienced by 20% of the population at some point in their lives . More>> - (
) Rare disease often gets misdiagnosed
Our mother, Pat Griffin, became part of this percentage, being first misdiagnosed with acid reflux. The treatment only delayed her true diagnosis.Two months ago, she started experiencing abdominal pain and unusual swelling in her side. Tests revealed that she actually had a tumor.
Unfortunately, even the type of tumor was misdiagnosed as colon cancer. It was not until her surgery that doctors finally discovered she was suffering from a very rare neuroendocrine tumor.
After surgery, her condition quickly worsened, and the late diagnosis prevented her from receiving the treatment she actually needed.
Abdominal pain, flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, skin rash, heartburn, fatigue, heart palpitations, low blood pressure, and weight changes are the most prevalent symptoms of carcinoid/NETs. More>>
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) Kidney disease diagnosis takes woman by surprise
DONOHUE: I suffer from acid reflux, and it affects my asthma. I also have a hiatal hernia. My gastroenterologist recommends doctoring with medicine. A surgeon's opinion is that the asthma will not get better without surgery. What is your opinion? — L.W. The upward splashing of stomach acid and stomach juices into the esophagus and higher can induce asthma attacks. The upward splashing is gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD (heartburn). Often, that can be controlled with medicine. If it can't, then surgery should be considered. I'd take the medicine route first. If it doesn't work, then you can consider the surgical approach. DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read your article on the T value of osteoporosis, and I am very confused. You wrote: "A T-score of .5 or less indicates osteoporosis. More>>