TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chi Mei Medical Center treated a 40-year-old man’s acid reflux with minimally invasive surgery assisted by an endoscope, helping him overcome long-term dependence on medication.
Acid reflux occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus relaxes, allowing stomach acid to flow back. Common symptoms include heartburn, acid regurgitation, sore throat, chronic cough, and sometimes chest pain. Treatment usually involves medication or endoscopic surgery.
Yang Chun-chi (楊畯棋) shared the case of the man, who experienced long-term heartburn and acid reflux. Despite taking medication, his symptoms showed little improvement, per CNA.
An endoscopic exam showed the man also had esophagitis, Yang said. He then underwent acid monitoring and minimally invasive surgery, followed by dietary changes, which significantly improved his condition.
Yang noted that one in eight people in Taiwan has acid reflux and urged those not helped by medication to consider minimally invasive surgery. He said the procedure tightens the relaxed muscle between the stomach and esophagus, with up to 70% seeing significant improvement afterward.
Feng Chi-yen (馮啟彥), a surgeon at Da Chien General Hospital, warned that severe acid reflux can lead to esophagitis. The condition may cause stomach acid to erode the lower part of the esophagus, potentially leading to esophageal cancer.
Feng warned against spicy, sweet or acidic foods and advised not lying down immediately after meals. Typical treatments focus on reducing stomach acid or prescribing drugs to help food move more quickly through the stomach. He emphasized the importance of undergoing an endoscopic exam if medication does not relieve symptoms.
According to the Health Promotion Administration, modern diets high in fat and calories, work stress and obesity are causing acid reflux to appear in younger people. Men are twice as likely as women to be affected, with most cases occurring between ages 50 and 59.
