primary care physicians if the pharmacy
fails them; sometimes they are then referred
to specialists.
“About 5 to 10 percent of Americans
have at least weekly significant reflux, also
known as heartburn,” says Division of
Gastroenterology Director Richard A.
Erickson, MD. Acid reflux, which is called
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
occurs when acid from the stomach rises
into the esophagus and causes a burning
sensation. This happens because the muscle
that acts as a one-way valve between the
esophagus and the stomach has weakened.
“We end up seeing for the most part
reflux that’s difficult to treat,” says Dr.
Richards. “We also see patients with peptic
ulcers; it has similar symptoms to reflux.”
Medication and diet make
a difference
Dr. Erickson says, “The vast majority of
people with esophageal reflux can easily
manage their discomfort with a medication,
combined with a little bit of modification
in their lifestyle as far as their eating habits,
and losing weight if that is a problem
for them.”
Richard Chatmas, a Scott & White
patient from Waco, found his reflux
symptom—a burning in his lower
esophagus—especially painful. “There
were nights when I was almost in tears,” he
says. Mr. Chatmas was diagnosed with
esophagitis, an inflammation of the
esophagus’s lining that is often caused by
reflux. Five years ago he began seeing Scott
& White gastroenterologist Timothy P.
Pfanner, MD. “He’s an unbelievable
physician. He really wants to take care of
his patients,” Mr. Chatmas says. “If I call
him and I’m worried about one little thing,
he takes care of me.” Medication to stop
production of stomach acid and a change
in diet have Mr. Chatmas feeling much
better. “The last couple of years I’ve been
doing really well,” he says.
“For worse and for better, changes in
diet often affect digestive disorders,” says
Dawn Sears, MD, director of the
gastroenterology fellowship program at
Scott & White Healthcare Temple. “Often,
performed this surgery on a patient last
October. He is currently the only surgeon
in Central Texas, and one of the few
surgeons in the entire country, offering this
procedure. Dr. Buckley is pleased that he is
able to stop reflux for extreme sufferers.
“This can really be a debilitating disease
and surgery is an excellent option in
selected patients. The good news is that my
patients are amazed that the surgical
correction of their reflux was done through
a tiny incision hidden in their navel,”
he says.
“I find I can frequently help someone who
has suffered in silence with any number of
gastrointestinal problems through fairly
simple measures and education.”
—Benjamin D. Havemann, MD
surprisingly, lifestyle ends up playing a
huge role for not only the cause but the
overall treatment,” she says. Nevertheless, a
small proportion of reflux cases either
cannot be treated with medications or carry
more severe symptoms, such as
regurgitation. It can happen anytime,
though most complain of it while lying
down. Sometimes surgery is needed; for
those patients who do need surgery, Scott
& White is making the experience much
easier with a major advancement in
minimally invasive surgery known as SILS,
or Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery.
A surgeon at the Round Rock clinic, F.
Paul “Tripp” Buckley III, MD, FACS, first
The collaboration among medical
specialists and surgeons is integral to the
successful treatment of some patients. “We
have a wonderful working relationship
with our surgeons in all areas,” Dr.
Erickson says. “We work with our general
surgeons for gallbladder or anti-reflux
surgery, with our surgical oncologists for
pancreatic cancer patients and with our
colorectal surgeons for intestinal surgery.”
The right diagnosis helps
heal patients
While heartburn and abdominal pain are
the most common patient complaints,
gastroenterologists also treat ailments of
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