Dr. Shami takes to TV to Explain the Latest Treatment of GERD

Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey (GANJ) physician Dr. Joseph G. Shami appeared on American Health Front following the NFL playoff games on CBS January 22, 2016. Though he didn’t have the chance to give his post-game insights, Dr. Shami was educating the masses on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a disease that effects so many globally. Also known as acid reflux, GERD is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid or contents stream back up through your esophagus and irritate the lining. Over time, the acid can wear on the lining, resulting in complications that include bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus or Barret’s esophagus.

“Reflux can manifest in multiple ways,” explains Dr. Shami. “The most common is a burning sensation in the back of the chest, mostly after a meal, or in the middle of the night.”

Dr. Shami also explains how the onset of the symptoms prompts many to go the emergency room thinking they have a cardiac issue, when really they’re suffering from heartburn. Traditional procedures such as an endoscopy can be done, but this involves losing a day of work, being sedated, and so on. What Dr. Shami finds to be the quickest and most convenient treatment to offer his patients is a transnasal esophagoscopy, a procedure performed in the office with a local anesthetic to the nose.

Barrett’s esophagus is on the rise because many people don’t treat their heartburn. “Treatment is typically either a laproscopic nissen fundoplication or some of the newer procedures that are also links procedures. Here, a little bracelet of titanium balls is put in surgically around the end of the esophagus. Now, more and more endoscopic acid reflux procedures are coming on the scene,” explains Dr. Shami.

The highly trained team at GANJ provides customized care and advanced treatments for GERD and other gastrointestinal conditions.

For more on Dr. Shami please visit his physician page.