GERD - A Condition Treatable by Medications

A Port St. Lucie, Florida physician, Dr. Scott Altschuler provides patient-centered gastroenterology care. Areas of focus for Dr. Scott Altschuler include advanced treatment for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

A common condition, GERD impacts approximately 20 percent of people in Western countries, and involves stomach contents that move back up into the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include regurgitation, heartburn, and trouble swallowing. There are a number of medications that address the condition, including proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as omeprazole and esomeprazole. These work to block acid-producing cells in the stomach and the pumps with which they generate acid.

In addition to anti-reflux drugs, lifestyle changes can have a positive impact in addressing GERD. Most important is a combination of balanced diet, daily physical activity, and maintaining a body mass index in the 18.5 to 25 range. Smoking can also increase the risk of developing GERD and consuming in excess of two cups of tea, soda, or coffee per day is not recommended.

Research Study Provides Insight into

Based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Dr. Scott Altschuler has served as the owner and managing Physician at Treasure Coast Gi LLC since 2017. Dr. Scott Altschuler is a gastroenterologist who specializes in performing colon cancer screening, colonoscopies, and endoscopy procedures. Dr. Altschuler has a professional interest in the area of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

A medical condition that affects millions of people around the globe, IBD involves the attack of the intestines by the immune system. A recent research study conducted at KU Leuven and Seoul National University has discovered a new strategy to influence the cells of the immune system to repair damaged intestinal tissue.

Scientists currently know that macrophages, white blood cells, can cause both tissue regeneration and inflammation. In this study, researchers used mice and human experiments to determine if macrophages could be influenced to specifically promote tissue repair.

From the results of this study, scientists determined that a subgroup of macrophages respond to a specific type of messenger molecule in the immune system known as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by increasing tissue regeneration. They also learned that getting macrophages to uptake a type of liposome containing a substance that encouraged them to respond to PGE2 led to increased tissue regeneration. Scientists are hopeful that one day using this newly developed liposome technology could be used to enhance the tissue regenerative activities of macrophages.