Conquer Your Heartburn

A variety of new treatments could finally mean relief from acid reflux

- Lisa Fields

In 2019, after enduring three years of headaches and frequent bouts of heartburn, Murali Bharadwaj of London learnt what sparked his discomfort: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition caused by stomach acid repeatedly rising into his esophagus. Whenever Bharadwaj drank beer or ate late in the evening, he experienced symptoms.

"The acid reflux meant I couldn't focus on the present moment, in meetings, playing sports or having social drinks with my friends," says the now 41-year-old. "My thoughts always went to the burning sensation in my throat."

He began taking medication called proton pump inhibitors (PPIS) to lower the acidity in his stomach. It helped, but only a little. In 2021, his doctor suggested a procedure to strengthen his lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve between the stomach and esophagus. Bharadwaj was skeptical, but when he learnt that transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) didn't involve invasive surgery-it's performed endoscopically through the mouth and oesophagus-he decided to try it.

In TIF, a small portion of the upper stomach is folded over the bottom of the oesophagus and stapled in place. After the procedure, Bharadwaj says his quality of life improved, and he no longer needed to take PPIs as often.

"I used to take them once per day, minimum, sometimes twice," he says. "Since the procedure, it's been just three times per week. I get acid reflux sometimes, but it's way more manageable-less frequent and less intense."