A man who suffered from heartburn so severe that he sometimes regurgitated his food has finally been cured with a “revolutionary” new surgical procedure.
Jeff Cohen had difficulty swallowing more than a sip or two because acid had been rising from his stomach for so long that the normal muscle contractions in his esophagus, or esophagus, were impaired.
He told Sky News that he had become uncomfortable eating, especially in public places.
“It was sitting there heavy in my chest like a blockage,” he said.
“But now I can eat without worrying. The food goes straight forward as usual.”
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Mr. Cohen was one of the first patients. NHS A device called RefluxStop must be implanted.
Surgeons at St Mary’s Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare, sewed a small cube of medical-grade silicone into the outer pouch of the stomach in a keyhole surgery that took just over an hour.
This device holds the stomach and esophagus in place so the muscle valves between them function properly to allow food to pass through and prevent acid from escaping.
Ahmed Ahmed, a consultant surgeon at the hospital, said the technology addresses the root cause of severe heartburn and acid reflux.
Dr. Ahmed Ahmed said that for most reflux patients, “the valve that stops acid from entering the throat is in the wrong position.”
“The main problem for most reflux patients is that the valve that stops acid from entering the throat is in the wrong position.
“That’s what causes them to have regurgitation on a daily basis.
“The new procedure involves implanting an anti-reflux device to return the valve to its correct position and maintain its natural anatomy.”
Other surgical techniques constrict the floor of the esophagus to stop acid leaking from the stomach, but this can make swallowing more difficult, especially for patients like Jeff who have pre-existing problems. there is.
“For them, this [new procedure] It’s revolutionary because they will now be eligible for surgery,” said Ahmed.
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Reflux stops hold the stomach and esophagus in place, allowing the muscle valves between them to function properly.
Around a quarter of adults in the UK suffer from heartburn, with overeating over the festive period being a common trigger.
According to NHS Digital, finally Christmas 1 person views online advice every 13 seconds.
Acid can cause symptoms that can lead to cancer, so you should see your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than 3 to 4 weeks.
Mild symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications that neutralize the acid. However, more severe cases may require prescription medication.
Dr Ahmed said surgery should now be considered as an alternative to lifelong drug treatment.
Around a quarter of UK adults suffer from heartburn
Jeff is now looking forward to his first festive season in many years.
“You can eat whatever you want this Christmas,” he said.
“We’re going to have more pigs in a blanket for dinner than we could have last year.
“I’m able to carry on with my daily life, which I wasn’t able to do before.”
Source: news.sky.com
