GERD & Acid Reflux — Symptoms & Treatment in Lucknow
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the medical term for troublesome, long-standing acid reflux — when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the food pipe, causing heartburn and other symptoms. It is very common, and most people are managed well without surgery, but a minority with persistent or complicated reflux benefit from a surgical solution.
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma assesses and treats GERD in Lucknow, offering laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery for carefully selected patients whose symptoms are not controlled by other means.
What is GERD?
A valve between the food pipe and the stomach normally keeps acid where it belongs. When it weakens — often together with a hiatal hernia — acid refluxes upward, irritating the lining of the food pipe and causing symptoms. Over years, untreated reflux can damage the food-pipe lining, so persistent symptoms deserve assessment.
Symptoms to watch for
- Heartburn — a burning feeling in the chest, often after meals or lying down
- Regurgitation of sour fluid or food into the throat
- Chest discomfort and difficulty or pain on swallowing
- A chronic cough, hoarseness, sore throat or disturbed sleep
- A sensation of a lump in the throat
Causes & risk factors
- A weak valve between the food pipe and stomach
- A hiatal hernia
- Being overweight and raised abdominal pressure
- Diet, late meals, smoking and alcohol
How it is diagnosed
- Assessment of symptoms and response to acid-reducing medication
- Upper GI endoscopy to examine the food-pipe lining
- Oesophageal manometry and 24-hour pH studies before considering surgery
How GERD is treated
The first-line treatment is lifestyle measures — weight management, meal timing, raising the head of the bed, and avoiding triggers — together with acid-reducing medication, which controls symptoms for most people.
Surgery (laparoscopic fundoplication, often with repair of a hiatal hernia) is considered when symptoms are not controlled by medication, when there are complications, or when a patient prefers a long-term solution to lifelong medication. Careful testing beforehand helps select patients who will genuinely benefit. For patients with both severe reflux and obesity, a weight-loss operation such as a gastric bypass may treat both problems together.
When to see a GI surgeon
- Frequent heartburn or reflux not controlled by usual measures
- Difficulty or pain on swallowing, or food sticking
- Reflux with weight loss, anaemia, vomiting or black stools — needs prompt assessment
GERD (Acid Reflux): common questions
Does acid reflux always need surgery?
No. Most people with GERD are managed effectively with lifestyle measures and medication. Surgery is reserved for symptoms that medication cannot control, for complications, or for patients who prefer a long-term alternative to lifelong medication — and only after appropriate testing.
Can weight-loss surgery help my reflux?
For patients who have both significant reflux and obesity, a gastric bypass can be very effective at controlling reflux while also treating obesity and its related conditions. Whether this is appropriate depends on a full assessment, which Dr Verma will carry out.
Concerned about gerd (acid reflux)?
Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma offers clear assessment and expert treatment. Book a consultation for personalised advice.