GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder in which stomach contents reflux, or flow back, into the esophagus because the valve between the two doesn't close properly. GERD affects an estimated 30 million people in the U.S., with 10% of those individuals experiencing “heartburn” symptoms on a daily basis.16 Persistent heartburn is not only uncomfortable, but can also have a damaging effect on the esophagus, potentially leading to other significant health issues.
Nighttime heartburn can make it difficult to get a good night's rest, which, on a recurrent basis, can significantly impact sufferers' sleep and work productivity – as well as their overall quality of life.17 American College of Gastroenterology reported that GERD symptoms cost the U.S. nearly $2 billion each week in lost productivity.18
Surgical therapy is available for those who do not respond to lifestyle and medical therapy or who do not wish to remain on medications. Traditional surgery entails wrapping the top of the stomach to reform the natural barrier and fixing the defect in the diaphragm and hiatal hernia (a type of hernia where the stomach pushes up through a hole in the diaphragm muscle), if present. The decision of medical versus surgical therapy depends on how well the patient would tolerate surgery, their response to medical therapy and the underlying causes of the GERD.19 Surgical treatment of GERD is well established and in selected clinical situations provides well recognized benefits over non-surgical treatment.20