The Hertfordshire Reflux Clinic at Spire Bushey Hospital

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is frequent acid reflux and heartburn.

GORD is a chronic (long-term) condition involving frequent acid reflux - stomach acid escaping into your oesophagus (food pipe) and flowing towards your mouth, which irritates the lining of your gullet.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is caused by acid reflux from the stomach, giving rise to a number of throat related symptoms. These can include hoarse voice, throat clearing and a feeling of something stuck in the throat. There is often an overlap between LPR and GORD.

Common symptoms can include:

• Heartburn – often after eating or at night
• Indigestion
• Regurgitation of food
• Sore throat or a sour taste at the back of your mouth
• Hoarse voice
• Dysphagia - difficulty swallowing
• Throat clearing
• Feeling of something stuck in the throat

GORD and LPR often occur for no obvious reason, although it can be made worse by certain foods and drinks, smoking and some medications. It can also be due to other reasons such as pregnancy, obesity, a hiatus hernia or connective tissue conditions. Some people may notice that they are experiencing an increase in GORD after undergoing weight loss surgery (post sleeve gastrectomy surgery).

Lifestyle changes and medication

Lifestyle changes such as avoiding certain food and drinks that trigger your symptoms, as well as eating earlier in the evening can help relieve GORD.

Over the counter antacids medications may also help. However, if these are unsuccessful and your symptoms are severe, our specialists may suggest you need medical tests, treatment or surgery.

There are a number of diagnostic tests which will help your consultant decide what treatment option is best for you:

• Gastroscopy – a procedure where a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is used to look inside the oesophagus (gullet), stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It's also sometimes referred to as an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Manometry – a test to measure the strength and function of your oesophagus providing information about how the muscles in your throat and oesophagus work, as food and liquids pass from the mouth to the stomach. A small flexible tube is placed into your nose and into your oesophagus for around 20 minutes, while the test is completed
• Bravo pH study – a miniature pH capsule that is attached to your gullet a few centimetres above the junction where your gullet joins your stomach (gastro-oesophageal junction). The capsule will measure for 48-96 hours and transmit this information to a pager sized receiver worn on your belt or waistband
• Nasoendoscopy – a procedure where a small flexible endoscope is passed through the nose to examine the throat (pharynx and larynx). This can be carried out in the outpatient clinic

Our team include:

• Mr Pratik Sufi, Consultant General and Bariatric Surgeon
• Dr Mark Fullard, Consultant Gastroenterologist
• Siobhan Hilton, Reflux Clinic Co-ordinator

The Stretta procedure is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure using radiofrequency energy, to help significantly reduce acid reflux symptoms. The procedure takes approximately an hour and is usually carried out as a daycase procedure (meaning you will be in and out of hospital on the same day).

One of the surgical options for GORD is the LINX® device implant. This is where a ring of magnetic beads is placed between the stomach and the gullet, helping to stop heartburn and acid reflux. LINX is implanted during a minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) procedure.

Over 25,000 LINX®reflux surgical procedures have now been performed worldwide. There are only a limited number of centres in the UK that offer the surgery with Spire Bushey Hospital being one of them.

This type of surgery is proven to be effective for patients - 5 years after LINX® surgery, 85% of patients no longer need to take regular antacid medications.

• Our team of experts work together to identify the main cause of your reflux symptoms, producing an individual treatment plan for each patient
• We offer a range of diagnostic tests and innovative treatment options to optimise long-term symptom control
• Rated as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Spire Bushey and Spire Harpenden hospitals provide world-class expertise using some of the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies

To book a consultation, complete the enquiry form below or call 07821 657 467.

We offer easy booking and flexible appointment times to suit you so you don’t have to wait to get the treatment you need.

Choose Spire Bushey Hospital if you live in North London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire or surrounding areas.

https://www.linxforlife.co.uk/references.html