One in every three Americans deals with acid reflux. The condition causes stomach acid to wash back up through the esophagus and causes irritation and pain. Many doctors prescribe medications like Nexium to help treat the condition, but one Minnesotan is trying an alternative solution.
A singer’s decision
Minnesota singer Geoff Elvee says his acid reflux was so bad it was interfering with his singing career.
“My throat was swelling up on me and then I was completely hoarse the day after,” Elvee told KARE 11 News.
While he was recording this summer, he hit his breaking point.
“I was half way through my CD and lost my voice,” he said.
The country singer, who had battled the condition for about 15 years, decided to try something different. A doctor at Abbot Northwestern Hospital put a ring of titanium-coated magnets at the base of his stomach.
The new procedure
Dr. Daniel Dunn was the first doctor in the world to perform this surgery while it was being studied. He says the magnetic ring, called the Linx, allows food to pass but blocks acid from coming back up.
“Ninety-five percent of the patients who have had this are not taking any antacids any drugs at all at three years,” Dunn said.
Elvee says he’s still recovering from the procedure, but hopes the long-term effects pay off.
“I can feel it every time I swallow, and I can feel it every time the acid is trying to get up, but I feel it holding the acid back which is a good thing,” Elvee said.
The cost
The device was just approved by the FDA in 2012 and costs around $20,000. At this point, insurance companies aren’t covering the procedure.
