Stomach Diseases: Reflux, Gastritis & Hiatal Hernia – Targeted Diagnosis & Modern Treatment
Heartburn, pressure behind the breastbone, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing—these symptoms may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernia. In my practice, I offer comprehensive evaluations and individually tailored conservative or surgical treatments.
Reflux: when stomach acid becomes a burden
Occasional burping is normal, but when acidic stomach contents regularly flow back into the esophagus, this is called GERD. Over time, this can irritate the esophageal lining and lead to serious complications such as Barrett’s esophagus, which increases cancer risk.
Typical symptoms include:
- Heartburn, especially when lying down or after eating
- Acid regurgitation, pressure behind the breastbone
- Difficulty swallowing, cough, hoarseness
- Tooth damage from acid exposure
The cause is often a weakness of the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus—often worsened by a hiatal hernia.
Hiatal Hernia: more common than you think
A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through a gap in the diaphragm into the chest cavity. This disrupts the natural closure mechanism between the stomach and esophagus, intensifying reflux symptoms.
Diagnosis is made through thorough clinical examination and imaging studies such as:
- Gastroscopy
- Functional testing (manometry, pH monitoring)
- Videokinematic
Treatment: Individual, stepwise, effective
Mild to moderate symptoms can often be managed with lifestyle changes (smaller meals, weight loss) and medications. If conservative treatment fails or structural causes like a hiatal hernia exist, surgery may be necessary.
I perform minimally invasive (keyhole) surgeries using established techniques:
- Nissen-Rosetti fundoplication
- Toupet fundoplication (partial wrap)
- Dor fundoplication
After surgery:
- A swallow X-ray is usually done the day after to check the result and start diet progression
- A soft diet is recommended for 14 days, then gradual return to normal eating
- Recovery time is generally short, with a hospital stay of only a few days
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining
Gastritis, along with reflux and hiatal hernia, is a common stomach disease. It can be caused by irritants such as NSAIDs, stress, alcohol, or Helicobacter pylori infection. Diagnosis by gastroscopy is essential to enable targeted treatment—such as stomach-protective medication or eradication therapy.
If you have questions about reflux, gastritis, or hiatal hernia, I am here to help.
