April 4, 2024
Acid Reflux & Heartburn Care
GERD occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus due to a weak lower esophageal sphincter, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing. GERD can also lead to nausea, respiratory issues, and poor sleep.
Rediscover the joy of eating and sleeping without discomfort. Our fellowship-trained reflux specialists provide personalized care for GERD and heartburn with quick appointments, no referral needed.
To schedule an appointment or refer a patient, contact Dawn Harcey, GI Nurse Coordinator, at 218-429-3930.
Evaluation
The EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is an exam of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract with a slim, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope. The upper GI tract includes the throat, esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The endoscope has a camera that sends live images of the inside of the GI tract to a video monitor.
Tissue biopsy
Samples of tissue collected endoscopically to help rule out unhealthy cells.
WATS 3D biopsy
Samples of tissue collected endoscopically with a brush technique to help rule out unhealthy cells.
Bravo pH.
A tiny pH capsule, about the size of a gel cap, is attached to the side of the esophagus during Endoscopy by the physician. This capsule communicates wirelessly to a monitor on the outside of the patient. The monitor is worn at home for 48 hours. This test measures how much acid flows backward up from the stomach into the esophagus.
Impedance pH
A thin catheter is swallowed into the esophagus. This catheter is attached to a monitor the patient will wear at home for 24 hours. This test measures how much acid flows backward up from the stomach into the esophagus.
Watch the informational video to learn more about the Bravo take home acid reflux test HERE.
A small catheter is swallowed into the esophagus, once in place this study measure’s esophageal function and esophageal pressures. It can also tell how well the esophagus is moving the food and liquid along into the stomach. It can tell how the lower esophageal sphincter is functioning.
Surgical Solutions
The LINX System is a small flexible bracelet of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. It is implanted with a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure around the weak lower esophageal sphincter. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach from going into the esophagus. Swallowing food temporarily opens the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach.
The Nissen works by restoring the function of the damaged valve that is the actual cause of acid reflux. The fundus is wrapped all the way around the bottom of your esophagus to tighten the sphincter. This is done by wrapping part of the stomach very loosely around the lower esophagus at the location of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The fundus is wrapped about two-thirds of the way around the back side, or posterior, of the bottom of the esophagus. This creates a sort of valve that lets the patient more easily release gas through burps or vomit when necessary.
Hiatal hernia repair w/ TIF
Pyloroplasty can be performed with the goal of widening the pylorus to improve gastric emptying. Pyloroplasty can be accomplished through open, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques.
A Heller myotomy is a surgical procedure that treats achalasia, a condition that makes it hard to swallow and digest food.
Endoscopic Solutions
The TIF procedure is performed from inside the patient’s stomach without incisions. This procedure delivers patient outcomes similar to those provided by conventional ARS procedures, but is less invasive, has fewer adverse effects, and does not limit future treatment options. Following the principles of ARS, the TIF procedure repairs the anti-reflux barrier by reducing a hiatal hernia (≤ 2 cm), and creating a valve 2 to 4 cm in length and greater than 270-degree circumferential wrap.
The Stretta procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that uses radiofrequency energy to stengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) is a minimally invasive procedure to relieve symptoms of gastroparesis. In patients with this condition, the valve between the stomach and small intestine (pyloric sphincter) is unusually tight, preventing the stomach contents from emptying fully into the intestine.
Fellowship Trained Surgeons
Meet our dedicated team of experts
From evaluation and diagnosis, to treatment and recovery, our team of experts work with you to provide specialized care for your unique reflux and heartburn condition getting you back to enjoying what you love.
Andrew Loveitt, DO
Shawn Roberts, MD, FACS
Meet the Reflux and Heartburn Team
Reflux & Heartburn Videos
3 Videos
Acid Reflux & Heartburn Blog
Real patients. Real stories.
The care at Riverwood was outstanding
A chronic cough was Dan Waxlax’s only symptom of GERD. “I didn’t have any heartburn or acid reflux in my throat, but I was coughing five to six times every half hour,” Dan explained. “My daughter-in-law, who is a doctor, was the one who identified my cough as a GERD symptom that should be checked out.” On his daughter-in-law’s recommendation, Dan sought an evaluation at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin. The diagnostic test results revealed that Dan has Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition that can lead to esophageal cancer. Dr. Andrew Loveitt, MRHC reflux specialist and general surgeon, performed a Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), which involves reconstructing the anti-reflux valve between the esophagus and the stomach to restore the body’s natural protection against refluxing stomach contents. There are no scars for the patient and frequently a quicker recovery than other more invasive procedures. Dan also had a robotic-assisted hiatal hernia repair using the da Vinci System. The da Vinci is powered by robotic technology that allows the surgeon’s hand movements to be translated into smaller, precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body. “I chose to get my GERD treated as a preventative step to avoid getting cancer,” Dan said. “There was no pain or discomfort with the TIF procedure I had done at Riverwood. Dr. Loveitt did a wonderful job!” The TIF procedure is typically done as an outpatient procedure but given Dan’s three-hour drive from his home on Minnesota’s North Shore, Dan was hospitalized for overnight monitoring. “I had excellent nursing care during my hospital stay,” Dan added. “Everyone was very friendly, including the cleaning staff. The care at Riverwood was outstanding, and I’ve had medical care at the Mayo Clinic.”
My reflux specialist put me at ease right away
Tim Maalis, age 67, struggled with heartburn and gastroesophageal disease (GERD) for more than 40 years. “I tried all kinds of medications,” Tim explained. “It got so that I was taking four pills twice a day to get relief. I couldn’t eat half the foods I wanted to.” Tim’s brother-in-law from the Twin Cities sought GERD care from the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center (MRHC) at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and highly recommended it based on his successful outcome. After comprehensive evaluation and testing, the MRHC reflux specialist diagnosed GERD, as well as a hiatal hernia and Barrett’s esophagus, and advised that the LINX procedure was the best course of treatment for Tim. The LINX System is a small flexible bracelet of interlinked titanium beads with magnetic cores. It is implanted with a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure around the weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The magnetic attraction between the beads helps the LES resist opening to gastric pressures, preventing reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Swallowing food temporarily opens the magnetic bond, allowing food and liquid to pass normally into the stomach. “I had an amazing outcome,” Tim said. “After my procedure two years ago, I don’t have any heartburn! Now I can eat and drink anything I want.” Tim added: “The personal caring by the Riverwood staff is remarkable. My reflux specialist put me at ease right away; he explained what was going to happen every step of the way before, during and after my procedure. Dawn Harcey, the nurse coordinator, explained things so well and was very helpful in setting up my appointments.”
Enjoying my wife's southern cooking again
Acid reflux symptoms were not a problem for Barry Anderson until a few years ago. Barry explains: “When I would bend over, I would get a burning feeling in my throat that would last two to three days. I also felt nauseous. I got referred to a reflux specialist by my primary care provider, Nurse Practitioner Lisa Gerhart, who really listens to her patients and cares about getting the best care for you.” Barry’s care with the Minnesota Reflux and Heartburn Center (MRHC) at Riverwood in Aitkin included coordination and scheduling of several diagnostic tests with Dawn Harcey, clinical nurse coordinator; pre-op and post-op care from Thomas (TJ) Hirsch, general surgery physician assistant; and surgery with Dr. Andrew Loveitt, reflux specialist and general surgeon. Dr. Loveitt performed a robotic-assisted paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair with Toupet Fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. For this minimally invasive procedure, patients can generally go home within 24 hours. Barry shares comments on his successful treatment outcome: “TJ was wonderful; he explained everything so well and helped me choose the type of surgical procedure to fix my acid reflux. Everyone on the clinic staff was amazing; they are very good at what they do. Dr. Loveitt spent a good deal of time with me before and after my surgical procedure, explaining everything in great detail. I appreciated his expertise and dedication to guiding patients to the best outcomes. I’m not taking any acid reflux medications now, and I’m so happy with how my treatment turned out. Best of all, I can enjoy my wife’s Southern cooking with a lot of spices again. I’m so impressed with Riverwood’s hospital; it’s so clean and well kept with the newest equipment. It’s amazing all they can do for patients in our small, rural community.”