WHAT IS REFLUE;
In fact, reflux is the name given to the passage of the liquid content that should be in an organ to another region. For example, the leakage of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract is called vesicourethral reflux, and the escape of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux. Since gastroesophageal reflux disease is seen in one of every 5 people in the society today, this disease comes to mind when reflux is commonly mentioned.
HOW DOES REFLUX OCCUR?
Humans have a very complex valve system that regulates the passage between the esophagus and the stomach. In this way, the escape of the food in the stomach, especially acid and bile, into the esophagus is prevented. The most important cause of reflux is the insufficiency of this valve system or the slipping of the valve system, known as stomach hernia among the people, from the abdominal cavity to the chest cavity, resulting in inadequate functioning of the valve.
WHAT COMPLAINTS DO PATIENTS HAVE?
Burning that starts from the upper stomach area and can spread along the middle line of the rib cage is the most typical complaint. The reason for this is the damage caused by the acid and bile that should normally be present in the stomach to escape into the esophagus inner lining, which is not resistant to it. . As the stomach contents pass into the larynx, sore throat, hoarseness and cough can be seen.
There is reflux in two of three patients with a cough without a cause. Again, there is a close relationship between reflux and asthma in some cases. Half of the patients with normal cardiac angiography have reflux disease.
In the later stages of the disease, there may be sudden awakenings from sleep as the stomach contents escape into the respiratory tract at night. Scientific studies reveal that reflux disease impairs the quality of life of people as well as heart failure.
WHY IS REFLUE ON THE AGENDA?
The medical world has revealed that reflux disease is the most common disease with the developing diagnosis and clinical examination methods. Preliminary studies in our country show that one out of 5 people has reflux, as in western countries. The numerical indicator of this rate is that there are nearly 10 million reflux patients in our country. Until recent years, it was sometimes overshadowed by the diagnosis of Gastritis because it was easy for doctors to find. Almost everyone who has stomach discomfort without any examination is stamped with gastritis. In fact, gastritis is a diagnosis that can be made by microscopic examination of the tissue taken from the stomach.
Helicobacter pylori microbe is the most common cause of gastritis. Even if H. pylori is detected in people who do not have any complaints, there is no need for eradication treatments. In patients with stomach complaints and H. pylori, only 9% of the patients’ complaints resolve with antibiotic treatment. In our country, H.Pylori treatment is applied unnecessarily, and since most of these patients have reflux, their complaints recur.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT OF REFLUX DISEASE?
Reflux patients need to eat small amounts and especially not to lie on a full stomach. Oily food, pastries, raw vegetables, fruits, tomato paste, tea, coffee, acidic beverages and especially alcohol should be avoided. He should not do heavy sports, he should lie on the bed with a 30 degree inclination, facing his left side as much as possible. There is no scientific evidence that food regimes and social life measures have a significant benefit in the course of the disease.
The most effective agent in the treatment of the disease is the use of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Reflux patients with gastric hernia or wounds in the esophagus may need to use these drugs for life.
REFLUDE PERMANENT TREATMENT
Laparoscopic surgery is the only permanent treatment method for reflux disease whose long-term results are known. Laparoscopic surgery may provide permanent healing, especially in patients in this position. It is an option that saves the constant use of drugs and increases the quality of life.
In the USA, 70000 laparoscopic surgical procedures are performed every year, which is the second most frequently performed operation after gallbladder laparoscopic reflux surgery.
After laparoscopic surgery, the patient stays in the hospital for one day and is fed orally the next day. There is no need for the food regimens and social measures that the patients do after the surgery. There is a success rate of over 90% in the long term after the surgery of the surgeons who are experienced on the subject.
