Health
Acid Reflux Treatment Safe
For most ThirdAgers, occasional heartburn is nothing serious, but for frequent sufferers it could be acid reflux or gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease. While surgeons have a laparoscopic procedure to treat acid reflux, until now they were not sure if it was safe for older adults.
Dr. L. Michael Brunt, associate professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says a study of 339 patients, in two groups ages 18 to 64 and 65 and older finds the surgery was safe and effective for all ages. His study is in the September issue of Surgical Endoscopy.
Brunt says older patients had slightly longer hospital stays and a few more minor complications than the younger patients, but their functional outcome was much the same. He says both groups returned to full activity quickly and neither had serious surgical side effects.
Acid reflux symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest, sour-tasting fluid in the mouth and difficulty swallowing as often as twice a week. Smoking, caffeine and alcohol make the situation worse.
Dr. L. Michael Brunt, associate professor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, says a study of 339 patients, in two groups ages 18 to 64 and 65 and older finds the surgery was safe and effective for all ages. His study is in the September issue of Surgical Endoscopy.
Brunt says older patients had slightly longer hospital stays and a few more minor complications than the younger patients, but their functional outcome was much the same. He says both groups returned to full activity quickly and neither had serious surgical side effects.
Acid reflux symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest, sour-tasting fluid in the mouth and difficulty swallowing as often as twice a week. Smoking, caffeine and alcohol make the situation worse.
