A healthy digestive system is essential for the body to function properly. Salem Medical Center offers gastrointestinal services to help doctors diagnose and treat digestive issues.
Our gastroenterologists provide treatment options for a range of digestive disorders, including:
- Appendicitis and peritonitis
- Dietary sensitivities such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus
- Gastrointestinal viruses, infections and general discomfort
- H. pylori and ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and diverticular disease
- Stomach, esophageal and colorectal cancer
Heartburn Surgery
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that causes heartburn and acid reflux due to gastric acid returning from the stomach back up into the esophagus. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, approximately 25 million adult Americans suffer from heartburn on a daily basis.
If you have heartburn or reflux twice a week or more, you may have GERD. Heartburn is the most common symptom, but you may also experience:
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Frequent swallowing
- Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Sleep disruption (unable to sleep lying down)
- Bloating
- Excessive clearing of the throat
- Persistent cough
- Burning in the mouth or throat
- Intolerance of certain foods
- Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation
At Salem Medical Center, we offer a minimally invasive surgical procedure called transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) to treat GERD. This procedure requires no incision and is a quick, effective solution for patients who suffer from chronic heartburn or acid reflux. TIF leaves no scars and is less painful than other surgical options.
Because there are no incisions, recovery time is much shorter than traditional surgery. Patients typically spend one night in the hospital and follow a liquid diet and soft foods for about two weeks. Most are able to resume normal activities within only a few days.
Benefits of the TIF procedure
- No external skin incisions – no scarring
- No internal cutting or dissecting of the natural anatomy – more rapid recovery
- Very safe – fewer adverse events and complications than other antireflux surgical procedures
- Does not limit future treatment options