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Dr. James Rosser, perhaps best known for his work with TV’s “Dr.Oz”, says 21 million Americans suffer from chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but it doesn’t have to be that way.

“They take medicines and they suffer side effects that they do not realize. The big downside is this causes esophageal cancer,” said Rosser, noting that chronic heartburn can now be treated with a new technology that uses magnets.

The former Morehouse School of Medicine surgery professor and a recognized national and international leader in minimally invasive surgery for over 20 years, has launched a community awareness project, Operation Bear Hug, that aims to get the message out to the public that there are ways to treat a chronic problem that many believe is just a part of everyday life.

The newest treatment, the Linx Reflux Management system, is a surgically implanted ring that limits the chances of acid reflux from reaching and damaging the esophagus. The Linx system is a newer ring design that improves upon an earlier system that had a higher complication rate.

Most people are aware of the common symptoms of heartburn, including chest pain, an acid taste in the mouth and nausea. Many symptoms are relieved, temporarily, by over-the-counter antacids. What health professionals refer to as “silent reflux,” however, is identified by symptoms that many patients don’t recognize, including asthma, postnasal drip, a persistent cough and a raspy or hoarse voice.

The most common treatment includes the use of acid blockers and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, citrus and canned foods.

“The treatment of GERD usually follows a stair-step approach that goes from the simple to the complex,” Rosser, a surgeon at Celebration Hospital in Orlando, Fla., said in an article on the hospital’s website.

“Lifestyle changes and medicines make up the simple, less aggressive arm of the treatment options. If these fail, invasive treatment must be considered. There are degrees to the level of invasiveness ranging from endoscopic procedures that do not require incisions, all the way to procedures that require full-blown open surgery.”

Early diagnosis and treatment, however, are a patient’s best bet to recovery.[ooyala code=”g1YWhvYTpNtstcM1oT2h8rAWn4ZhPvKS” player_id=”undefined”]

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Can acid reflex be cured with surgery? I’ve been on Nexium over 20 years.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

The Linx Reflux Management system is a great step in helping to treat this problem that impacts so many people and the Nissen Fundoplication done with the laparascope can be done and you are out of the hospital with both choices  often within 24 hours You have to be evaluated to know which one is for you At Celebration Hospital, Orlando Florida my home hospital my partner and I offer this treatment and people come from all over the world to be treated at this place of spiritual healing We would be glad to take care of you visit our website celebrationsurgeons.com.

I have chronIc acId reflux and I keep the worst taste in my mouth. I am on omeprazole, what helps?

God is tapping you on the shoulder and telling that Omeprazole is not the answer You need to be evaluated It would be a shame if you are being warned that something serious is wrong and you did not heed the warning.

I have had gerd for over three years. It got to the point where I was constantly clearing my throat all the time. I had the procedure fundoplication done in November and the problem still persists. What else can I do?

First it is important to have the proper work-up Your doctor needs to be asked if he did a 24 hour ph study, a manometry study and an endoscopy with a biopsy. Depending on the results of those studies we can just if reflux was the actual problem Frequently sinus drainage can cause your symptoms I would go back to your surgeon, he may have to repeat the studies to give you some idea of what is now going on.

I get heartburn every time that I eat jelly, chocolate, drink OJ, etc. and I use baking soda to kill the burning sensation in my chest. Is baking soda a bad remedy?

No but it’s a temporary entity. You may be helped by just changing you lifestyle but you need to be evaluated to make sure you have the kind of heartburn you can live with We are actually starting a screening campaign on April 25 at Celebration Hospital in Orlando, Florida call Operation Bear Hug. We are going to get our arms around the reflux problem by using technology to tell you if you have the disease as soon as possible by using telemedicine and other technologies.

What workup should I ask for?

Please go to my article on the Dr. Oz website or visit HERE to learn more. I have extended articles to give you all the details. But in a nutshell, first you need an upper endoscopy. Next a 24 hour ph test. Then an esophageal manometry.

 Some nights I wake up gasping for air with this burning fluid in my throat. What could it be?

Nocturnal reflux-reflux at night while lying down is a big alarm signal. The door between your stomach and food tube is total open You need to be evaluated as soon as possible.

Put the Freeze on Chronic Heartburn; Dr. James Rosser Tells You How  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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