Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Treatment

The easiest way to treat reflux symptoms is to block acid production in the stomach. In most cases, acid irritation causes the symptoms. Acid can be blocked by several medications. More than half of all patients get better with acid-suppression therapy. Many physicians will treat a reflux patient with acid suppression for about two months before pursuing other treatment.

Lifestyle Changes and Medication

For cases of mild heartburn, a doctor may suggest over-the-counter or prescription medications that block acid production in the stomach — as well as lifestyle changes.

GERD has an excellent prognosis; 80 to 90 percent of patients improve after treatment with medication. However, these remedies may offer only temporary or partial relief from GERD symptoms. Additionally, severe GERD sometimes causes serious complications, including esophageal ulcer, strictures and Barrett's esophagus.

Surgery

Anti-reflux surgery (laparoscopic nissen fundoplication) offers an alternative to medication for GERD. This procedure strengthens the sphincter by wrapping part of the stomach around the lower esophagus to prevent reflux and maintain the position of the stomach and lower esophagus in the abdomen. Mayo Clinic surgeons are highly skilled in anti-reflux surgery and in most cases can perform this surgery in a minimally-invasive way. Read more.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Mayo Clinic offers several "endotherapies" (done through an endoscope) to treat acid reflux. Mayo Clinic physicians are world-renowned for their gastrointestinal endoscopic expertise. Endoscopic treatments offer an alternative for patients who are not candidates for surgery or for those patients who don't want lifelong medication treatment or surgery. The following endotherapies are outpatient procedures.

Mechanical Therapy

The Endocinch procedure uses a sewing capsule attached to an endoscope to stitch the junction between the esophagus and stomach, narrowing the opening to prevent acid reflux.

The Plicator is a device that is passed through the mouth into the stomach, where it places a single suture-based implant near the junction between the esophagus and stomach to help restore the anti-reflux barrier.

The Stretta procedure destroys the nerves in the LES and creates scar tissue, keeping the LES from opening repeatedly, which prevents acid reflux. Read more.