Reflux Center

Are you suffering from heartburn? You are not alone!
Reflux center – diagnostics and therapy on one spot:

More than 20% of the population suffer from heartburn. Almost everyone of us is familiar with the unpleasant burning sensation in the oesophagus after a more-than-generous meal, which is mostly cured by way of household remedies or random pills. But what can you do if the sensation recurs, if it bothers you at the work or spoils your leisure-time activities?

It is essential that recurrent or sustained complaints are clarified most carefully. Only then we can provide an adequate diagnosis and start with the correct therapy that is tailored to the patient’s needs. The Rudolfinerhaus Reflux Center offers patients competent counselling and treatment on combating heartburn and improving your health and well-being.

“Looking just at Vienna some 360,000 people are affected by a reflux disease, i.e. the reflux of acid stomach content into the oesophagus, which causes disorders such as heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, air swallowing, swallowing disorders, a soapy and acid taste in the throat or in the oral cavity, pain in the stomach, sickness and vomiting.

This is due to a muscle between the oesophagus and the stomach which is not closing properly”, explains Chief Physician Wilhelm Appel, M.D., head of the new Reflux Center at the Rudolfinerhaus. This acid regurgitation leads to reduced quality of life. In many cases, as a result the oesophagus is inflamed. “Sustained inflammations in the oesophagus can result in severe complications”, Appel warns about not taking seriously and treating these disorders.

Competent diagnostics

Reflux disease (heartburn) is very common, yet it is not always treated properly and consequently. Due to the development of highly-efficient medication slowing down the production of gastric acid it has become possible to help many patients very quickly.

”Yet in order to improve the patient’s condition on a permanent basis, the reason for the irritation of the mucous membrane must be identified”, Appel recommends, “because the causes and implications are more complex than patients might think at first glance.”

Gastroscopy and endoscopy examinations of the oesophagus – when entrusted to an experienced specialist, this is just a matter of a few minutes – provide clarity. In most of the cases, a malign disease can be excluded and the specialist can start with providing the patient with the right medication for therapy. In rare cases, surgery is recommended.

Although a surgeon himself, Appel is very reluctant in performing surgery and merely if there really is an adequate and severe indication. “Reflux and pressure measurement data must suggest that surgery is necessary. What is, of course, also important is that the surgery is only performed by an experienced specialist (high surgery record and experience)”, the expert advises.


Comprehensive range of services

The private hospital Rudolfinerhaus was the first in Vienna to open a center for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric and oesophageal diseases. We do not merely offer in-depth counselling, but also the premium service that all examinations can be carried out in one spot – at the Rudolfinerhaus. If surgery is necessary, two experienced Vienna specialists in the field of laparoscopic reflux surgery are available: Professor Glaser, M.D., and chief physician Stracke, M.D..

We offer our patients unique possibilities, which are part of the infrastructure of this renowned Vienna private hospital. You won’t find these services anywhere else.

Contact: Prim. Dr. Wilhelm Appel, M.D.
Phone: 0043 1 360 36 – 4040