Can Esophageal Dilatation Help With Severe Heartburn Or Acid Reflux?

Heartburn and acid reflux occur when the stomach’s acidic content flows up and irritates the lining of the esophagus, leading to discomfort and various other troublesome symptoms such as nausea, vomitting, shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing and cough. In mild cases, it is possible to get rid of these symptoms with the help of medications; however, if the heartburn and acid reflux happens more than twice a week, it is a clear indication of serious issues, especially GERD.
The major complication that patients experience due to persistent reflux is primarily esophageal strictures. In cases where patients experience severe GERD, gastroenterologists recommend surgery as the main treatment option. But what if they developed esophageal strictures? Is it treatable, and if yes, what is the treatment approach and the procedure?

Are Esophageal Strictures Curable?

More than 80%-90% of the narrowing of the esophagus, or esophageal strictures, are successfully treated through esophageal dilatation using balloons or bougies.
It is a procedure to widen the constricted section of the esophagus. During the procedure, doctors insert a flexible endoscope with a balloon attached at the end to inflate the esophagus, thereby making it easy for food particles or liquid to pass through.
Esophageal dilatation is generally recommended for patients with swallowing difficulty, regurgitation, or discomfort caused by the thickening of its walls.

Esophageal Dilation For Heartburn And Severe Reflux

In the context of severe heartburn and reflux, esophageal dilation is performed in patients who have developed strictures. The narrowing of the esophagus is basically a complication of chronic acid exposure.
When GERD is left untreated for a long time, it results in scarring and inflammation of the esophagus, causing it to narrow over time. When the walls of the esophagus get constricted, the individuals find it difficult to swallow (dysphagia).
While esophageal dilatation is not a primary treatment for heartburn or acid reflux, it definitely helps patients who are struggling with the severe symptoms of GERD like strictures. It provides symptomatic relief to the patients and improves their quality of life.
To treat the underlying cause of severe reflux, surgery is the only effective treatment. It is a great option for patients who do not respond to acid-suppression medications or lifestyle modifications.

What Are The Benefits Of Esophageal Dilatation?

Esophageal dilatation offers the following benefits:

• Minimally invasive: Esophageal dilation is a non-invasive procedure. It is basically an outpatient method and patients are discharged on the same day. However, depending on the severity of the esophageal strictures, patients might need more than one session.
• Improve swallowing difficulty: Esophageal dilation provides rapid and long-term relief from swallowing difficulty. Hence the procedure prevents the food from getting stuck and improves the overall functioning of the esopahgus.
• No risk: It is completely a safe procedure with little or no risk of postoperative issues. Some patients might experience discomfort like soreness behind the breastbone, but this is absolutely normal and will go away after a few days.

Are There Any Limitations Of Esophageal Dilatation?

Just like any other surgical intervention, esophageal dilatation also comes with a lot of limitations, like excessive bleeding, perforation, or reactions to anesthesia. However, these issues are rare and likely to occur when the procedure is performed by an inexperienced surgeon. Hence, patients need to consult a certified surgeon who has expertise in performing esophageal dilatation to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the procedure.

Conclusion

If you are someone who is suffering from heartburn or acid reflux, make sure to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider to address the root cause. If you developed esophageal strictures and recommended esophageal dilatation, get the procedure from an experienced surgeon without any delay.