Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A New and Effective Treatment Option

By Gastro Health

Gastro Health

. https://gastrohealth.com

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): A New and Effective Treatment Option

About GERD

GERD is a common gastrointestinal disease affecting nearly 20 percent of Americans. It is a chronic health condition in which the gastroesophageal valve allows stomach acid to regurgitate backwards into the esophagus, causing heartburn and possible injury to the esophageal lining.  It is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis physicians make during clinical visits. Some patients may have mild or moderate symptoms, while others experience more severe symptoms such as chronic heartburn, asthma, chronic cough, a hoarse voice or chest pain.

Why Treat GERD?

Left untreated, GERD can develop into pre-cancerous conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus, which can be a precursor to developing esophageal cancer. Initial treatment recommendations for patients with GERD is to make lifestyle changes in diet, eating schedule and/or sleeping position. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications are often used to treat GERD, but some clinical studies suggest there may be residual risks associated with long term PPI use.

About The TIF Procedure

In just under an hour, the transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF 2.0) procedure safely and effectively treats moderate to severe GERD by introducing the EsophyX® device into the body through the mouth, not through an incision.

The TIF 2.0 procedure corrects the dysfunctional anatomy by reconstructing an anti-reflux valve at the gastroesophageal junction and reducing any small hiatal hernias. This procedure fills the treatment gap between medical therapy and traditional surgical solutions. Most patients can go home the same day and return to work and most normal activities within a few days. Clinical studies show that 80% of patients remain off daily PPIs at three years following the procedure.

Over 22,000 TIF procedures have been performed worldwide. More than 100 peer-reviewed papers have consistently documented the sustained improved clinical outcomes and exemplary safety profile the TIF procedure provides to patients suffering from GERD.

About Insurance Coverage

With the support of clinical societies, commercial and federal insurance providers, representing more than 100 million lives, have recognized the value of the TIF 2.0 procedure through recently expanded coverage. The procedure is covered by Medicare across the country.

Who would benefit from this procedure?

The TIF procedure is a good solution for moderate-to-severe GERD patients who are:

• Dissatisfied with pharmaceutical therapies and the burdensome lifestyle changes (sleeping, eating…) that they are forced to make to manage symptoms

• Suffering from non-acid symptoms of reflux such as asthma, persistent cough or sore throat

• Concerned about the potential long-term side effects from dependence on proton pump inhibitors