Expert's 30-minute treatment recommendation for reflux complaints

Defining the disease known among the public as reflux, or more formally 'gastroesophageal reflux disease', as the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Hakan Demirci said, “Reflux, which is one of the most common digestive system diseases today, significantly lowers patients' quality of life and is usually seen with symptoms such as bitter water and food particles coming back into the mouth, burning in the esophagus, and bad breath.”

"IMMUNITY TO STOMACH MEDICATIONS MAY DEVELOP"

Prof. Dr. Demirci stated, “Most reflux patients have to constantly think about what they will eat and follow long-term diets. At the same time, they use stomach-protecting pills that suppress stomach acid secretion, as well as antacid syrups or tablets for long periods.

So much so that there is a very large group of patients who use bottle after bottle of antacid syrup, cannot go anywhere without their syrup, and cannot imagine a life without stomach protectors. 

In a significant portion of reflux patients, there is a lack of benefit from stomach medications or the development of immunity to such drugs over the years. 

It is known that long-term use of these types of drugs today leads to side effects such as osteoporosis, susceptibility to infections, vitamin deficiencies, and dementia,” he said.

"STOMACH VALVE IS RESHAPED"

While medication is the easiest and most preferred treatment option for reflux disease, the need to take medication for life can cause patients to become tired of this situation. On the other hand, medication may not be effective in every patient, and side effects of the drugs can emerge with long-term use.

Stating that endoscopic reflux treatments have been developed as an alternative to surgery for patients who have laxity in the valve between the stomach and the esophagus and who use long-term stomach acid-suppressing medication, Prof. Dr. Demirci said, “Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) treatment, which is one of the anti-reflux endoscopic treatment methods, is an option performed with state-of-the-art devices that does not involve a long recovery process or major complications after the procedure. 

During the ARMA treatment, the patient is placed on their back on a stretcher and anesthesia is administered. The goal of this method is to reduce or prevent the opening of the gastroesophageal pathway. For this, the stomach valve between the stomach and the esophagus is reshaped using endoscopic methods. As the ulcer and wound created by the procedure heal, the scar effect in this area causes the valve to tighten. With a procedure lasting approximately 30 minutes, years of reflux complaints and constant medication use can come to an end,” he explained.

“THEY CONTINUE THEIR DAILY LIVES"

Emphasizing that the patient can be discharged from the hospital on the same day without any incisions or surgical scars with ARMA treatment, Prof. Dr. Demirci said, “Since it is not a surgery, there is no need for a major preparation process beforehand. In this procedure, which is performed under anesthesia, the patient is required to fast for at least 6 hours. Because it is a day-case treatment, patients can continue their daily lives after the procedure is completed,” he said.