For Reflux Disease Health First is Leading with LINX, Listen to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s Podcast About GERD

By  //  January 19, 2023

Health First is area’s premiere providers of LINX® Reflux Management System for people with GERD

Stomach aches and sore throats catch us all at some point. Heartburn, too. The clinical term is gastrointestinal reflux, and it’s caused by acidic stomach fluids that flow back into the esophagus. But if it happens a lot, it can be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The good news is, there’s hope. And recently, Health First Surgeon Kenneth Tieu, MD, hopped on the “Putting Your Health First” podcast to discuss the options.

On the ‘Putting Your Health First’ podcast, Health First surgeon says regular ‘heartburn’ sufferers may need an advanced solution – one that puts the pills back on the shelf.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s podcast that explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Stomach aches and sore throats catch us all at some point. Heartburn, too. The clinical term is gastrointestinal reflux, and it’s caused by acidic stomach fluids that flow back into the esophagus.

But if it happens a lot, it can be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The good news is, there’s hope. And recently, Health First Surgeon Kenneth Tieu, MD, hopped on the “Putting Your Health First” podcast to discuss the options.

“Approximately 30 million people in this country experience reflux at least a couple times a week,” Dr. Tieu says.

Reflux Symptoms and Causes

The stomach contains acid, bile, and pepsin, among other fluids. When these flow back into the esophagus because of a weak valve – the esophageal sphincter – it’s a problem. The symptoms include acute pain, a sour taste at the back of the mouth, and even difficulty swallowing.

The exact cause is unknown, but medically obese and pregnant adults suffer regular reflux at far higher rates than others.

Smoking and prescription medicines may weaken the sphincter muscle that seals the stomach. A family history also raises the rates of reflux. People who have reflux symptoms multiple times a week should get a medical consultation – and get the relief available to them.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s podcast that explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Health First is one of the area’s premiere providers of the LINX® Reflux Management System for people with GERD. “We’ve done about 600 procedures here at Health First. We actually did the most procedures in the country last calendar year,” Dr. Tieu says. “So, we’ve got quite a bit of experience, and more and more insurances are starting to approve these.” CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s podcast that explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

LINX for Reflux Relief

Health First is one of the area’s premiere providers of the LINX® Reflux Management System for people with GERD.

“We’ve done about 600 procedures here at Health First. We actually did the most procedures in the country last calendar year,” Dr. Tieu says. “So, we’ve got quite a bit of experience, and more and more insurances are starting to approve these.”

Unlike other surgical treatments for reflux disease, LINX uses a tiny implant that’s demonstrated big results. It’s a bracelet of tiny magnetic beads that encircle the lower esophageal sphincter. When food is swallowed, the opening expands, overpowering the attraction of the magnets, but at rest, the bracelet supports the valve, sealing the stomach.

The implant surgery is safe and performed laparoscopically. Patients go home the next day feeling fine and eating normally.

“About 90% of patients who undergo a LINX procedure, their reflux symptoms go away completely and they’re off their acid-reduction medications,” Dr. Tieu says. “As we know, there are side effects with acid reduction medications.”

To find out more about reflux treatment options, visit HF.org/reflux. And to look back at past podcasts, visit HF.org/podcast.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s podcast that explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Stomach aches and sore throats catch us all at some point. Heartburn, too. The clinical term is gastrointestinal reflux, and it’s caused by acidic stomach fluids that flow back into the esophagus.  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Dr. Kenneth Tieu’s podcast that explains gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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