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BMH Offering New Treatment for Chronic Heartburn SufferersAugust 30, 2004 - Butler Memorial Hospital is offering a new outpatient treatment option for people suffering from acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Called Enteryx®, the procedure is a new approach to eliminating the need for daily medication to control symptoms of acid reflux.People with chronic heartburn who are taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as Nexium®, Protonix®, or Prevacid® are candidates for the procedure. "GERD is very common among adults in the U.S. population," said Dr. Donald Walters, a gastroenterologist at BMH. "Many are treated indefinitely with acid-blocking medications on a daily basis, but unfortunately, a growing number of patients are having a difficult time affording these medicines as insurance companies reduce pharmacy benefits. The outpatient Enteryx procedure has the potential to eliminate the dependency on medication to control symptoms and is a great alternative for a large number of patients with GERD." A malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causes acid reflux. This valve separates the esophagus from the stomach and, when operating properly, allows food and liquids to enter the stomach but does not permit irritating stomach acid back into the esophagus. For acid reflux sufferers, this valve inappropriately relaxes, permitting stomach acid to flow upward into the esophagus where it can cause heartburn. The Enteryx procedure involves injecting a sponge-like permanent implant during an endoscopy. This implant helps the LES function properly and helps to eliminate acid reflux. In a clinical trial of 81 patients with acid reflux, more than 70 percent were able to completely eliminate their PPI medications after undergoing Enteryx. An additional 10 percent of patients were able to reduce their dose of medication by at least 50 percent. "This procedure has shown a significant benefit in controlling heartburn and GERD-related symptoms, improving quality of life and eliminating the need for medication at the end of one year," Walters said. Acid reflux afflicts 15 million people in the United States and can cause asthma-like conditions and difficulty sleeping. Although many patients with GERD may only experience chest burning or heartburn, many others suffer sever complications, including an inability to swallow and cancer of the esophagus. People interested in the Enteryx procedure should call 724-284-4070. |
More Information For more information, contact Jason Snyder at 724-284-4222 or email Public Relations. |
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