Approximately 14 million adults in the United States suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD.  Now, the Stretta procedure is providing relief from GERD and can be performed endoscopically.  This means there are no incisions and no surgery.

The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn.  Fawcett Memorial Hospital General Surgeon, Dr. Adam Lipkin, says if GERD is left untreated it can cause serious damage.

"Over time the lining of the esophagus can becomes eroded and you can develop what's called esophagitis, and if that goes on for a long time untreated, it can actually lead to scarring of the esophagus so that food has a hard time going through."

Dr. Lipkin says not all patients are candidates for stretta, so other treatments such as change in diet and medication are tried first.

"In general the procedure is very helpful for people who have severe heartburn and they have to have had a number of studies first to make sure that the procedure is right for them.  In terms of the physiology of the esophagus and the severity of the reflux disease."

During the procedure a special instrument is guided down the back of the mouth and into the esophagus to the lower sphincter.  This is the area responsible for keeping fluid and food inside the stomach.

"We treat that region with, it's actually a fairly new technology.  It's radio frequency ablation.  It stimulates the muscle in that area to build up and become stronger so that it's more likely to be an effective sphincter, and more likely to keep the food where it belongs."

The process takes about 45 minutes and patients are able to return home the same day.  They need to eat soft foods for several days before returning to their normal diet.  Dr. Lipkin says the maximum improvement often isn't evident until a few months after the procedure because the muscle is still growing and strengthening.