What are the various Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment Devices available in market today?

 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by the regurgitation of stomach contents into the throat. GERD is also known as acid reflux disease and it occurs in people of all ages. In milder cases, GERD can be effectively treated with simple pharmacological therapies or by altering a patient's diet. In more severe cases, esophageal surgery might be necessary to remove the troublesome esophageal sphincter and/or improve a patient's general physical condition. GERD can develop when the lower esophageal valve relaxes or becomes weakened. The diagnosis of GERD and gastroesophageal reflux disease can be done by examining the medical history and symptoms.

Although acid-reflux disease typically affects the upper body, some of its symptoms can extend down the esophageal tract, making GERD particularly troubling for people who sit or stand for long periods of time. This problem has given rise to a variety of different approaches to treatment, including invasive, surgical treatments, non-surgical treatments and more novel, non-invasive therapeutic approaches. The latest treatment option on the table involves using pharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to help reduce the effects of GERD. There are a number of advantages to this strategy. For starters, SSRIs are believed to have numerous side effects that tend to make them less attractive to certain groups of patients.

Electrical stimulation (ESD) is another common form Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment Devices. This technique involves the use of electrodes attached to the esophageal wall to generate a varying amount of electrical current. Antirheumatic drugs, which often cause symptoms similar to those of severe heart disease, are sometimes added to the mixture. A major disadvantage of using plicator devices with ESD is that the procedure can only be performedon an outpatient basis, requiring a patient to remain in the hospital for a few nights before returning home.

Another type of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Treatment Devices is antireflux devices. These typically come in the form of liquid or suppository medications that can be taken up to several times a day, depending on how much acidity needs to be neutralized. Currently, there are no clinical trials evaluating this approach; therefore, it is unclear whether these types of antireflux devices provide any benefit for patients with GERD.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that ESDs are better than standard treatments for acute GERD. However, as more information becomes available concerning the symptoms and causes of this condition, researchers may explore different ways to treat it, whether by medication, surgery, or a combination of both.

One of the most common medications used to treat GERD is Tagamet. This medication is taken to relax the upper muscle of the esophagus that connects the stomach and the duodenum. Stronger medications such as Reglan and Zantac are often used in conjunction with Tagamet to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. When taken in combination, these drugs can help to reduce the symptoms of this disease, which can make it easier for you to live a normal lifestyle.