HEARTBURN & ACID REFLUX

THE GERD LIFE A GUIDE FOR TREATING CHRONIC HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX What is GERD? Sometimes heartburn is more than heartburn. Chronic acid reflux and heartburn that occurs more than four times a week is called GERD. GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. GERD happens when the valve that keeps your stomach contents from flowing up into your esophagus does not work correctly. GERD is more than annoying: It’s potentially life threatening.

Untreated GERD can lead to: • Damage to the esophagus • Debilitating symptoms • Worsening symptoms over time • Barrett’s esophagus (a change in the structure of the esophagus) • Esophageal cancer

The good news is that GERD is highly treatable. Read on to learn more about GERD and how it can be treated.

2 20% of Americans suffer from GERD.

Who Gets GERD?

GERD is actually quite common. 20% of Americans suffer from GERD. 23% of those manage their symptoms on a daily basis.

There are some factors that make you more or less likely to develop GERD: • Age —As you age, your musculature can weaken and your gastroesophageal valve can lose its shape • Obesity —Excess weight or overeating can distort and weaken the gastroesophageal valve • Injury—An injury, such as a sports-related injury or a trauma from a vehicle, can also damage the valve

3 Acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD.

What’s the difference?

GERD is acid reflux that occurs more than a couple of times per week. Heartburn is a symptom of and what you feel during acid reflux. Acid reflux is the medical term given to the stomach contents coming up into your esophagus. So now that we’ve cleared that up . . .

HEARTBURN ACID REFLUX

VS.

4 60% of patients have symptoms without severe heartburn.

What GERD Feels Like

GERD is more than just feeling like you have heartburn all the time. And sometimes, GERD doesn’t involve any heartburn at all. Up to 60% of patients have symptoms without particularly severe heartburn. GERD also occurs frequently in those who experience sleep apnea. Additionally, three-fourths of patients have GERD episodes in the evening. GERD presents both obvious and “hidden” symptoms such as the following:

Common symptoms: Less common symptoms: • Heartburn • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) • Chest pain • Persistent cough • Regurgitation • Chronic sore throat • Gas/bloating • Hoarseness/laryngitis • Excessive salivation • Asthma or asthma-like symptoms • Trouble sleeping • Frequent swallowing/clearing throat • Sensitivity to some foods/liquids • Bad breath/sour taste in the mouth • Burning in mouth or throat “Hidden” symptoms: • Gum disease/dental erosions • Ear and nose discomfort • Asthmatic cough/wheezing • Noncardiac chest pain

5 GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) Questionaire

Scale:

0 No Symptoms 1 Noticeable, but not bothersome 2 Noticeable, bothersome, but not every day 3 Bothersome daily 4 Bothersome and aects daily activities 5 Incapacitating to do daily activities

How bad is the heartburn? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Heartburn when lying down? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Heartburn when standing up? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Heartburn after meals? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Does heartburn change your diet? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Does heartburn wake you from sleep? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have diculty swallowing? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have pain while swallowing? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Do you have gassy or bloating feeling? 0 1 2 3 4 5 If you take reux medication, does this 0 1 2 3 4 5 affect your daily life?

TOTAL SCORE (enter total here; 50 points total)

How bad is the regurgitation? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Regurgitation when lying down? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Regurgitation when standing up? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Regurgitation after meals? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Does regurgitation change your diet? 0 1 2 3 4 5 Does regurgitation wake you from sleep? 0 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL SCORE (enter total here; 30 points total)

6 How satisfied are you with your current health condition? Satisfied Neutral Dissatised

Are you currently taking any medications for heartburn or GERD? Yes No

Please check any of the medications you have taken in the past or are currently taking: Nexium Prilosec Prevacid Aciphex Protonix Zegerid Kapidex Dexilant Zegerid Vimovo

Your first and last name:

Phone:

Email:

Date:

Please contact me to schedule an appointment

SUBMIT FORM HERE or email to [email protected].

To discuss your chronic GERD/Acid Reflux, please contact us: Black River Memorial Hospital 711 W. Adams Street Black River Falls, WI 54615 (715) 284-3678

7 When Is It Time to Go to the Doctor? If you’re dealing with heartburn more than four times a week, it’s time to speak with your doctor. He or she can give you options for treating your heartburn and confirm if you do indeed suffer from GERD.

When Is It Time for Surgery? Has it been a few months or even a few years since you’ve enjoyed a heartburn-free life? If you’ve been diagnosed with GERD and tried diet and lifestyle changes, taken medicines with progressively increasing dosages, are concerned about the long-term effects of these medicines, and have experienced no consistent improvement or symptom resolution, it’s time to talk to your doctor about options.

8 How BRMH Can Help

Black River Memorial Hospital is pleased to provide the TIF procedure, a minimally invasive way to dramatically improve life with GERD. The TIF procedure is a lower-risk solution for patients who: • No longer adequately respond to, or are dissatisfied with, long-term PPI use • Experience typical or atypical symptoms of GERD • Are concerned about the side effects of long-term PPI use

The TIF procedure delivers relief. It’s minimally invasive, which shortens recovery time. Additionally, the TIF procedure: • Restores gastroesophageal valve to natural state • Requires no incisions • Does not involve a metal implant • Is FDA cleared • Controls disruptive symptoms • Does not increase flatulence or bloating

How does it work? First, the TIF procedure lengthens the esophagus. Then the top of the stomach is gently folded and partially wrapped around the lower esophagus. It is held in place with fasteners that physicians have used inside the body for decades. No cutting needed.

The TIF procedure has a proven track record of transforming lives. The majority of patients who have had this procedure report no GERD symptoms and no longer need medication to manage their GERD.

9 Don’t Wait!

Reflux gets worse over time, and that has harmful implications for your health, including an increased risk for esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer (adenocarcinoma) has increased more than 600% in the past 3 decades, making it the fastest growing cancer in the US. With the TIF procedure, there is no reason to wait to treat your potentially dangerous GERD.

Schedule a Consultation

Call BRMH at 715-284-3678 to schedule your consultation. Always check with your insurance to verify if your plan requires a physician’s referral.

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