1. Heartburns can be a source of great discomfort. Typically, it is brought on by eating spicy food.  Many patients also have regurgitation of food from the stomach to the gullet and sometimes mouth. This can be aggravated at night. If left untreated, this may lead to cancer of the food pipe.

2. Many patients can benefit from medicines but in certain situations surgery is the better option:

A. Those who have hiatus hernia (big gap in the partition between chest and abdomen making the stomach enter the chest)
B. Those who want to avoid taking the pills lifelong
C. When medicines are not working
D. Where reflux is causing very distressing

3. Surgery for heartburns and regurgitation (Fundoplication) can be done laparoscopically; hence, it is almost painless, needs one day hospital stay and patients can return to work within 3-5 days.