Treatment leads world in beating heartburn

But for one in seven, chronic heartburn or acid reflux is more than just an irritation.

Gastro surgeons at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital are raising awareness of GORD (Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease) and a new treatment available to help sufferers.

The team at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital performs one of the most advanced procedures in the world to treat chronic acid reflux, although it is not available on the NHS.

Known as EsophyX, it is a procedure to prevent pain caused by acid reflux, but does not need any invasive surgery.

Patrick Senycia, 41, who is British but now lives in Australia, decided to fly to Leeds for this treatment.

"I'd been suffering from reflux for nearly seven years and after seeking help in 2004, I ended up on medication. I knew however that it was suppressing the cause and not addressing the route of the problem.

"After five years I made my own investigations and found that there really weren't that many options for me. There was one extremely invasive treatment which is for very serious cases and then I found out about EsophyX. To my mind, this was the best option available in the world and decided to fly to Leeds, as a leading centre, to have the procedure."

An endoscope is run down the oesophagus where suction pulls a flap of tissue down in order to guard the oesophageal opening from the harmful effects of stomach acid. Fasteners keep the tissue permanently in place where it will eventually fuse to function naturally.

"I had to follow a special diet for 12 weeks but now four months after that I am suffering at least 80 per cent fewer symptoms. In my mind it was well worth it and I would have it again to avoid taking so much medication and avoiding the potential consequences," says Peter.

Patrick flew to the team in Leeds in March this year and underwent the incisionless procedure.

"The fact that there were minimal risks was a big factor in my decision making. I had no adverse symptoms whatso ever. You do have to follow strict guidance to get the most out of it and this included a strict diet for two months. When you've suffered so badly from acid reflux and the symptoms associated with it, I found it very easy to commit to the guidance and diet recommended.

"I'm now almost off medication, taking it a step at a time, but feel I've come a very long way in short space of time and I'm very pleased with the reduction in symptoms produced by the operation."

Patrick is one of over 4,000 patients who have benefited from EsophyX.

Dr Elliot Goodman, one of the Nuffield surgeons who performs this procedure, alongside Henry Sue-Ling, said: "Reflux disease, in addition to being a potential cause of oesophageal cancer and other diseases of the throat, is painful and unpredictable. Heartburn and searing pain that seems to be rising in the chest can be definite signs of GORD.

"The EsophyX procedure offers a solution when permanent medication is not an option and people want to free themselves from the ongoing pain of reflux."

Dominic Jackson, from Elemental Healthcare, the company behind EsophyX said: "Leeds has always been at the forefront of new healthcare technologies. It is leading the way with providing EsophyX to its patients, which is a really exciting development in incisionless surgery."

If left untreated GORD can become severe enough to impact daily life, may even cause serious damage to the oesophagus and in a small percentage of the population may lead to oesophageal cancer.

Acid reflux facts

Acid reflux is when acid from the stomach leaks up into the gullet (oesophagus). This may cause heartburn and other symptoms.

A drug which reduces the amount of acid made in your stomach is a common treatment. Some people take short courses of medication when symptoms flare up. Some people need long-term daily medication to or surgery.

Consistent and painful heartburn is often an indication of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD).One in seven people worldwide suffer from chronic gastro-oesophageal disease.