Acid reflux procedure eases years of pain
|
Posted By: How May I Help You NC on September 29, 2025 Beginning when he was 27, life for the Rev. Earl Reyer was dictated by just how bad his acid reflux and spasms were that day. “I lived in fear,” Reyer, a Bentonia resident who's now 61, said of pain caused by esophageal spasms so severe they're sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. “When you're a pastor, those short casket funerals are tough. You're standing there representing God, and all the time I'm dealing with stomach issues and reflux and hoping I don't have a spasm in the middle of a service.” More than three decades and a plethora of medications later, Reyer took a leap of faith. He recently became one of the first patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to undergo a procedure using the LINX® reflux management system. It keeps stomach acids from traveling up the esophagus and causing gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Generally referred to as reflux, GERD affects 20 percent of the population. It's caused by a weak muscle in the esophagus that allows stomach acid to enter the esophagus and cause chronic inflammation. GERD sufferers typically have burning pain in their chests and throat, trouble swallowing, and the feeling of food sticking rather than being properly swallowed. The worst cases can put a patient at risk for esophageal cancer and chronic pulmonary disease. In Reyer's case, the ever-present acid also permanently damaged the enamel on his teeth, caused him to curtail travel, and left him sleeping upright in an easy chair. “Reflux took the joy out of my life,” he said. “It takes the icing off the cake.” After undergoing back surgery last fall, Reyer just weeks later was treated for blood clots in his lungs. “I couldn't get my breathing back,” he said. “I went to the UMMC emergency room. They thought the reflux was affecting my air passages.” He was referred to Dr. Pierre de Delva, an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery and a specialist in reflux and swallowing problems. De Delva told him about the options for treating GERD, Reyer said. Reflux sometimes can be managed by lifelong medications, de Delva said, but severe cases can require surgery. The standard operation has been Nissen Fundoplication. That surgery can be done laparoscopically and involves wrapping the upper curve of the stomach around the esophagus. The lower portion of the esophagus passes through a tunnel of the stomach, creating a new barrier to reflux. Only about 1 percent of GERD sufferers end up being referred for that procedure, de Delva said. “About 60 percent are well controlled on medication, but there's a gap of patients who aren't. Providers aren't ready to refer them for surgery because of the perception that the side effects of a Nissen aren't worth it, and because reflux isn't life threatening.” Tell me all about it umc.edu/news/News_Articles/2016/March/Acid-reflux-procedure-eases-years-of-pain.html If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
How May I Help You NC
Management, See Moss Interactive Bellarmine University class of 2021 Member Since January 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
FREE Valentine's Day E-Cards Available! ♥️Happy Valentine's Day! ♥️
♥️ Free Valentine's Day E-Cards Link: https://www.pinterest.com/shykerialifleur/valentines-day-greetings
♥️ What to Write In Va ...more
Shykeria Lifleur • 128 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
BLACK OWNED BEAUTY SUPPLY ASSOCIATION (BOBSA) AND JUNIQUES AD SERVICE CREATES DFY 30 SEC DISTRIBUTION SERVICEANNOUNCEMENT
Juniques Ad Service, a proud Juniques Company, is excited to share a powerful new collaboration with the Black Owned Beauty Supply Organization. Through this collaboration, members and s ...more
rickey johnson • 104 Views • February 11th, 2026 |
 |
MEDIA ALERT! USA -Call for Submissions- Gumbo for the Soul: Women of Honor with PowerMEDIA ALERT! USA
-Call for Submissions-
Gumbo for the Soul: Women of Honor with Power is currently under development by the visionary team of Gumbo for the Soul International®.
This a ...more
Beverly Johnson • 107 Views • February 10th, 2026 |
 |
Keeping the Faith!!!! 10 Videos, MindMap, CheetSheet, and so much more to discuss FAITH!!!!https://learners.juniquesadservice.com/courses/offers/21e32619-5774-44e2-93d9-a3df7d93a778
Welcome to the course for You!!! Keep The Faith
Video 0- Introduction
Video 1 Why Faith is So Import ...more
rickey johnson • 277 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
RON CARTER & RICKY DILLARD Is Taking Church To The Jazz Club With New Single "Open My Eyes"@RONCARTER #RONCARTER@RICKYDILLARD #RICKYDILLARDLegendary in the genres of Jazz and Gospel music, the "Maestro" Ron Carter and the "Choirmaster" Ricky Dillard are taking church to the Jazz club with t ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 150 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,796,572 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,226 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 75,040 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,511 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
