This episode of The Reflux Report is hosted by Sue Steven Specialist Nurse for RefluxUK. She is joined by Mr Nick Boyle, Medical Director of RefluxUK and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon, and three of his patients on whom he performed reflux surgery. Rupert, Anne and Perrine presented with different reflux symptoms and each explains how these had impacted on their quality of life. They say what led them to seek out treatment for their reflux disease and what tests they underwent to diagnose the cause. Nick describes how these tests enable him and his multi-disciplinary team to decide on a tailored individual approach to treat every patient they see. RefluxUK was set up as a specialist centre with its mission to help people understand the cause of their symptoms and to treat them accordingly. Lastly, Nick asks Rupert, Anne and Perrine what lessons or advice they could pass on to others following their experience.

The views and information contained within this podcast to not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.

Patient Catch-up and Discussion

RefluxUK brings you another educational and informative episode on the myriad of physiology tests available to diagnose patients' reflux symptoms. This episode is hosted by Sue Steven, who is the Specialist Nurse and Director of Clinical Services for RefluxUK. She is privileged to be joined by two leading experts, Nick Boyle, Medical Director and founder of RefluxUK, and Anthony Hobson, founder of the Functional Gut Clinic.

We discuss why they both set up new businesses dedicated to reflux treatment and GI Physiology. Nick and Anthony comment on what conditions they are considering when patients complain of functional foregut symptoms. We examine the different tests used to look at anatomy and structure and those that look at functionality. We debate how accurate and reliable the different tests are and what the latest innovations offer.

Finally, the experts tell us what the future holds and where they think GI testing will be in 5 -10 years.

The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.

The Modern Approach to Reflux Testing

RefluxUK brings you another educational and informative episode on a condition associated with Reflux Disease, LPR. For this episode RefluxUK radio is hosted by Nick Boyle, founder, and Medical Director and is privileged to be joined by expert ENT Consultants Professor Janet Wilson and Professor Martin Birchall and Clinical Scientist Anthony Hobson.

Throat symptoms are as commonly caused by reflux as heartburn and common oesophageal symptoms. We discuss the most common throat symptoms seen in ENT and specialist reflux clinics and which of these could potentially be caused by reflux, known as LPR or sometimes silent reflux. We explore the concept of LPR and the mechanisms that may be responsible and the evidence to support this. Our contributors discuss whether there are any specific pointers from patients` symptoms that help distinguish LPR from other causes and what other influences from external life events, gender, BMI or personality traits may contribute. Anthony describes the tests that are available to diagnose the condition and what they are designed to achieve. The panel debate how they would manage patients with LPR and how successful non-invasive treatments are and at what point they may consider offering anti- reflux surgery. 

Finally, all the experts tell us what is over the horizon for detecting and treating those who have LPR. 

 The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.

LPR (Laryngo-Pharyngeal Reflux or Silent Reflux)

Reflux radio brings you another educational and informative episode on a condition associated with Reflux Disease, SIBO. For this episode, hosted by Nick Boyle, founder and Medical Director RefluxUK, we are privileged to be joined by the world’s leading expert Dr Mark Pimentel, Dr Ali Rezaie, and Anthony Hobson.

We discuss the history of SIBO and how it is defined and diagnosed. We explore its pathophysiology and what is normal when we talk about the gut micro biome and gut flora. Our contributors discuss its causes and why it is so rarely diagnosed and treated in the UK and while in the US SIBO is now widely recognised as a cause of IBS type symptoms as well as many others, in the UK this remains controversial among some doctors. Mark, Ali and Anthony explain the antibiotic regimes and diets used to treat those with SIBO and describe the tests that are used to diagnose the condition, how they work and if they are effective.

Finally, all the experts tell us what is over the horizon for detecting and treating those who have SIBO.

The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.

 

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

Reflux Radio brings you the third episode in this series and explores the history, causes, symptoms and treatments for H-pylori. There is a fascinating back story to the discovery of this common infection and how it was found to be one of the most important causes of peptic ulcers and not excess stomach acid as was previously thought. The podcast looks at how prevalent it is within the population and whether it is more common in different parts of the world. Dr Adam Harris, who was awarded an MD for his original research on peptic ulcers and Helicobacter pylori in 1995, explains the symptoms and how these need to be distinguished between reflux and dyspepsia. Sue and Adam go on to discuss the test and treatments that are available to patients who are infected and how effective a course of antibiotics is on eradicating it. They debate whether antibiotics make people`s reflux symptoms worse and the associations between H-pylori, Barrett`s Oesophagus and stomach cancer. Finally, Adam tells us about what his hopes are for the future for those diagnosed with Helicobacter. 

The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.

 

H-Pylori (helicobacter infection)

RefluxUK radio hosted by Nick Boyle, founder, and Medical Director of RefluxUK brings you another educational and informative episode on a condition associated with Reflux Disease, Barrett`s Oesophagus. For this episode we are joined by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald and Dr Jason Dunn, both leading experts with a wealth of knowledge on Barrett’s.

The podcast looks at the history of Barrett’s, how prevalent it is within the population and if it is becoming more common. We explore its pathophysiology, how to diagnose the condition and how it is defined. As a leading researcher in the detection and treatment of oesophageal cancers Rebecca explains the relationship between Barrett`s and oesophageal cancer. Dr Jason Dunn a Consultant Gastroenterologist runs one of the largest Barrett`s endoscopy treatment centres and gives us an insight into the treatments of cancers and how these have changed over the recent years.

Finally, both experts tell us about what is over the horizon for detecting and treating those who have Barrett`s Oesophagus. Rebecca describes a new and exciting simple screening tool called Cytosponge ™ that she has been instrumental in developing. It is a minimally invasive procedure, which can be used in GP surgeries to detect early signs of Barrett`s.

The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice.




Barrett`s Oesophagus

This podcast explores the surgical options to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. Nick Boyle is joined by Professor John Lipham from Los Angeles and Professor Sebastian Schoppmann from Vienna, Austria, two of the world’s leading experts in reflux surgery. They explore how prevalent reflux is worldwide and the pathophysiology of the disease itself. The surgeons explain the anatomy of the oesophagus, motility, hiatus hernias and the role that surgery plays as a treatment option for those suffering with reflux. The pros and cons of the surgical options of including LINX and Nissen Fundoplication are debated and what barriers remain to widening access to new technologies.  As one of the world’s leading experts in LINX surgery John Lipham describes the tests involved in deciding whether surgery is indicated or not and explains how he puts the options of surgery forward to patients. Sebastian Schoppmann discusses endoscopic alternatives to surgery and post-operative care for those who have undergone surgery and the long-term outcomes. Finally, both experts tell us their hopes for the future including standardisation, centres of excellence and what new and exciting advances are on the horizon. We hope that this podcast will give patients and the wider medical community a better understanding of the choices available for those who might benefit from surgery to resolve their reflux symptoms.

The views and information contained within this podcast do not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the relevant individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views of RefluxUK and may be subject to change without notice 

Surgery for Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The Reflux Podcast series aims to educate, inform and widen the understanding of functional diseases affecting the so-called “Foregut”, the oesophagus, stomach and small bowel.

Aimed at patients, clinicians and anyone interested in this wide-spread issue, this series covers various topics surrounding reflux including causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, all supported by up-to-date research of the time.