Peggy Rose spent years and years searching for the reasons behind the tickle in her throat, persistent cough, and even pain in her ears. After many procedures and treatments Peggy found dead end after dead end. It seemed no doctor or specialist had the answer, and she was even told by one doctor, “We don’t know everything.” Hear how she persisted and found Dr. Vaezi who solved the mystery and now has a treatment plan to put her back on the road to good health.

Dr. Michael Vaezi is Director of the Center for Swallowing and Esophageal Disorders, Director of Clinical Research in the Division of Gastroenterology, and a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt Medical Center. He sheds light on the newest diagnostic tests and treatments for reflux disease, explains the importance of getting a definitive diagnosis, when it’s time to seek out a specialist, and research into new and refined treatment options. Learn from both Dr. Vaezi and Peggy as they share both the clinical and personal challenges faced in diagnosis and treatment of this disease. When is heartburn not just heartburn? Find out in this episode of Patient Power.

The program begins with Steve telling his story of having persistent heartburn for many years. He would often just have a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water to neutralize the acid. It wasn’t until he went to see a gastroenterologist for an unrelated reason that he was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. Steve was immediately referred to Dr. Komanduri. He has since received treatment for the dysplasia with radiofrequency ablation and careful monitoring from Dr. Komanduri. Hear Steve talk about how he watches his diet, and pays closer attention to his lifestyle to avoid heartburn.

Dr. Komanduri talks about the causes of heartburn, or acid reflux, how it leads to Barrett’s esophagus and sometimes even esophageal cancer. He discusses the risk factors, diagnostic tests and the latest treatment options for Barrett’s esophagus with the hope of avoiding esophageal cancer. Dr. Komanduri also explains the role of radio frequency ablation in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus, how it works and hope for treatment options in the future. If you have frequent and persistent heartburn, listen to this program to learn more about this all-too-common condition that can sometimes lead to much more serious problems.

Arline underwent a Robotic Heller Myotomy in August of 2008. At 82 years old, Arline was convinced this was something she would always live with. She could not swallow food because her sphincter muscle was dead and as a result, had to regurgitate every time she ate. With this new procedure, Dr. Horgan and the UCSD team took part of her upper stomach and made valves. Today, Arline is doing well, has frequent follow-ups with Dr. Horgan and does not have to take medicine. Hear more about how the procedure has allowed her eat more foods she had not been able to eat previously, like steak and salad.

Dr. Horgan talks about 3-D imaging, robotic surgery and how both are eliminating many complications of conventional methods. He also talks about the underlying goals of the Heller Myotomy, which are to improve the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and relieve symptoms for the patient. Listen to this program to hear more about how safer methods, procedures and technology are making patients with various conditions, able to return to their normal and active lives.

Dr. Merati defines many disorders of the vocal cords including laryngitis and nodules, as well as how these conditions are treated. He also talks about the importance of proper diagnosis and the techniques and imaging tools currently used to understand vocal cord problems. Dr. Merati goes into detail about the effects of acid reflux on your vocal cords, what chronic throat clearing can mean and the negative effects smoking can have on your voice and your throat. He explains what symptoms to watch out for, when to worry about a hoarse voice and the early warning signs of throat cancer.

Dr. Merati also goes into detail about the preservation of vocal function and the importance of not overusing or misusing your voice. He gives tips and hints for how to take care of your voice, which include avoiding irritants such as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco as well as the importance of staying hydrated. Dr. Merati also discusses voice disorders in children, stridor or noisy breathing, and the importance of seeking a specialist if you have voice problems. If you suffer from chronic hoarseness, acid reflux or fear you may have a voice disorder, this program will provide you with valuable information to take with you to the doctor.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid drips into the esophagus. Mechanisms to clear the acid break down in some individuals, and excessive amounts of acid build up in their esophagus. This can lead to heartburn, indigestion, regurgitation, chest pain, painful swallowing and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), as well as the serious condition Barrett?s Esophagus, which is believed to be the main cause of esophageal cancer.

Dr. Hashem El-Serag, a gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, explains some of the risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for acid reflux disease. Jared Fogle of the Subway sandwich commercials also joins the show to discuss how to avoid obesity, which is the main contributor to acid reflux. Instead of simply taking an antacid every day, you can change lifestyle factors to lessen the severity of GERD and to avoid serious, and entirely preventable, conditions like esophageal cancer.