Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease / Hiatal Hernia

Causes, examinations and treatment

Ladies and Gentlemen

We are pleased to welcome you to our updated and redesigned website.

We are trying to give you a better understanding of reflux disease. Although many people suffer from this disease, it is still very much neglected. We have been working intensively on this disease for almost 30 years, trying to find the best treatment for each individual patient. Not all patients with reflux need surgery. Conservative therapies, including the use of medications, are often sufficient. However, for long-term problems, surgery is often a very good alternative because it not only treats the symptoms, but also eliminates the mechanical causes of reflux.

A detailed medical history is the first step in our evaluation. If reflux disease is suspected, we discuss the next steps with our patients. If surgical treatment is an option, we will order the necessary diagnostics. In a follow-up consultation, the results are discussed in detail with the patient and the various therapeutic options are explained. We intentionally spend a lot of time in these meetings.

We hope that this website will provide you with a helpful overview of the problems, examinations and treatment options for reflux disease.

Mischa Feigel, MD

(Der Einfachheit halber verwenden wir jeweils nur die männliche Form. Wir bitten dafür um Ihr Verständnis.) Text editor

Introduction

Acid regurgitation and a burning sensation behind the sternum are usually the result of an inadequate closure mechanism between the esophagus and the stomach. This allows more stomach acid to enter the esophagus. The mucosa of the esophagus is exposed to this acid without protection, causing the typical symptoms.

Chronic exposure to acid often causes esophagitis. Therefore, it is important to prevent large amounts of acid, stomach contents and bile from entering the esophagus. Sometimes a change in diet (such as eating smaller meals or eating dinner earlier), sleeping with your upper body elevated or losing weight can help. If these simple measures do not work, medications that block acid production in the stomach (such as proton pump inhibitors, better known as PPIs). However, this does not improve the inadequate closure between the esophagus and the stomach and certainly does not improve a hiatal hernia. The exact cause of acid reflux is not known. However, the main cause of symptoms and esophagitis is the mechanical problem mentioned above. This cause can only be treated surgically. This prevents the pathological reflux of stomach acid, stomach contents and bile from the stomach into the esophagus. As a result, it is usually no longer necessary to take PPIs. The surgery is performed laparoscopically using a minimally invasive technique.

More about the disease

Treatment Options