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Shannon introduces the LINX procedure and Reflux Clinic
You’ve seen
the commercials and you’ve
heard the guarantees. You’ve tried the rem-
edies and you’ve waited for results. Despite
your efforts, your acid reflux still casts a loom-
ing, painful presence over your life. You may
think there are no options left and this ago-
nizing condition is a permanent fixture.
If you are living with gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD), a new way to fight
and win your reflux battle is now available at
Shannon—the LINX® procedure.
The LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is
the body’s natural reflux barrier. When func-
tioning properly, the reflux barrier opens to
allow you to swallow and closes to prevent
stomach acid from traveling up the esophagus.
When you have GERD—20 percent of the
population does—the reflux barrier is weak
and allows the harmful acid to flow back into
your esophagus.
Several common symptoms of GERD are
heartburn, regurgitation, nausea and chronic
chest pain.
“Acid-reducing medications, known as PPIs
(proton pump inhibitors), are often prescribed
to treat GERD,” says Benton Brown, MD,
Shannon General Surgeon. “These medicines
might make you feel great, but we are
learning that medication might not be
the solution to GERD. Medications
will only treat the symptoms of reflux
by making the stomach acid less acidic,
but they do not treat the reflux itself.
Even with meds, your symptoms can
worsen, and they might become less
and less effective over time. It still hap-
pens because the muscle is too weak.”
Dr. Brown adds that another area of con-
cern for those taking medication for GERD
is research showing a significant increase in
esophageal cancer cases.
“The incidence of esophageal cancer is
the fastest growing in America over the last
30 years,” he says. “The biggest increase cor-
relates to the use of PPI medications.”
FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM—
NOT THE SYMPTOMS
When medication therapy is ineffective, or if
you are interested in stopping these poten-
tially dangerous pills, LINX may be the next
step for permanent GERD relief.
LINX is a ring of magnetic, expandable
titanium beads the size of a quarter. During
the laparoscopic procedure, the ring is im-
planted around the LES, close to the stomach
opening.
“The LINX is strong enough to constrict the
LES, closing the passageway to keep stomach
acid down,” Dr. Brown says. “The added ben-
efit, especially compared to traditional anti-
reflux surgery, is that the ring is weak enough
to open up when you perform normal bodily
functions such as swallowing or vomiting.”
SAFE AND CONVENIENT
The minimally invasive procedure does not
require a hospital stay, and patients can eat
a regular diet the same day. Afterward, 90 per-
cent of patients are completely off all reflux
medication within a year. It has also been
proven to be much safer than every other ex-
isting reflux surgery currently available, with
over 6,000 successful cases performed around
the world.
“The most common misconception of acid
reflux is people think they just have to live
with it,” Dr. Brown says. “The longer you
keep your reflux going, the greater the cost
of medications and the greater you are at risk
for medication side effects, which can cause
problems with your heart and kidneys. You
are also at an increased risk for developing
cancer in the esophagus if you don’t treat
your reflux appropriately. If you’re on medi-
cation and you are still having symptoms, we
can help you.”
If you are living with GERD, call the
Shannon Reflux Clinic to set up an ap-
pointment and discuss your options with
a surgeon. The Shannon Reflux Clinic is a
multidisciplinary clinic. Surgeons and GI
physicians work together to manage
your reflux with medications or sur-
gery. LINX may be the right option
for you.
LINX is covered by most
insurance providers. Self-refer-
rals are accepted. For more informa-
tion, call the Shannon Reflux Clinic
at
325-481-2344
.
A new way
to fight heartburn
Listen to your gut. Go to
shannonhealth.com/heartburnto learn about common heartburn triggers—and how to avoid them.
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HEALTH BEAT