Tidelands Health offers new treatment option for chronic acid reflux
People suffering from moderate to severe acid reflux now have a new treatment option at Tidelands Health.
The health system is offering a minimally invasive, incisionless procedure that can provide relief to people whose lives are being disrupted by the pain and inconvenience of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease. GERD is caused by changes in the gastroesophageal valve that allow acid to flow back from the stomach into the esophagus.
“People do not have to continue to suffer with a diminished lifestyle trying to cope with their chronic acid reflux or rely on medications to try to improve their condition,” said Dr. James Givens, a board-certified surgeon at Tidelands Health. “This innovative procedure can bring remarkable results and allow people to get back to the activities they love without dealing with the discomfort, pain and inconvenience of chronic acid reflux.”
The transoral incisionless fundoplication – or TIF -- procedure is performed through the mouth with an endoscope. It corrects the underlying cause of GERD by reducing the hiatal hernia and rebuilding the anti-reflux valve between the stomach and esophagus to restore the natural anatomy. The procedure is incisionless so there is less pain and reduced recovery time, and there is no visible scar.
GERD is a common condition, affecting one in five adults. While some can find relief through medications or diet changes, others are more severely affected.
“It’s horrible to wake up in the middle of the night refluxing,” said Dr. Givens. “For many, chronic reflux is a life-altering condition.”
The TIF procedure is an alternative to relying on medications, which may not treat related symptoms.
“Some may want to find relief through the TIF procedure so they can stop relying on medications such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs, which may not help related reflux conditions such as asthma, chronic clearing of the throat and other symptoms,” Dr. Givens said. “There are a variety of people out there having multiple symptoms, and we have a wonderful treatment for them that has life-renewing benefits.”
The TIF procedure, performed by surgeons Dr. Givens and Dr. Jack Johnston, is the latest in a growing number of digestive health services offered at Tidelands Health. The health system’s multidisciplinary digestive health team works with patients to diagnose their conditions and find the best treatment for them. Learn more at tidelandshealth.org.
