Digestive Disorders Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Digestive system Upper gastrointestinal system Show all 3 photos Gastroesophageal reflux disease Definition Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. Alternative Names Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic Causes, incidence, and risk factors Gastroesophageal reflux is a common condition that often occurs without symptoms after meals. In some people, the reflux is related to a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter, a band of muscle fibers that usually closes off the esophagus from the stomach. If this sphincter doesn't close properly, food and liquid can move backward into the esophagus and may cause the symptoms. The risk factors for reflux include hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and scleroderma. A number of studies suggest that obesity contributes to gastroesophageal reflux. For instance, the Nurses Health Study found that being overweight or obese significantly increased reflux symptoms in women. (Women who lost weight in the study, meanwhile, had fewer symptoms.) Symptoms Heartburn Involves a burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone) Increased by bending, stooping, lying down, or eating Relieved by antacids More frequent or worse at night Belching Regurgitation of food Nausea and vomiting Vomiting blood Hoarseness or change in voice Sore throat Difficulty swallowing Cough or wheezing Signs and tests A positive stool guaiac Continuous esophageal pH monitoring showing reflux Endoscopy showing ulceration or inflammation of the esophagus Esophageal manometry showing abnormal sphincter pressure A barium swallow showing reflux A positive Bernstein test for gastric acid reflux Treatment General measures include: Weight reduction Avoiding lying down after meals Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated Taking medication with plenty of water Avoiding dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint (they may cause lower esophageal pressure) Avoiding alcohol and tobacco Medications that alleviate symptoms include: Antacids after meals and at bedtime Histamine H2 receptor blockers Promotility agents Proton pump inhibitors Anti-reflux operations (Nissen fundoplication) may help a small number of patients who have persistent symptoms despite medical treatment. There are also new therapies that can be performed through an endoscope (a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach) for reflux. ... Continue reading this article

More Articles

Heartburn (8 Videos, 4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Heartburn is a painful burning sensation in the esophagus, just below or¿behind¿the breastbone. The pain often rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2007
Email  |  Save

Irritable bowel syndrome (4 Videos, 1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a complex disorder of the lower intestinal tract. It is mainly characterized by a pattern of symptoms that is often worsened by emotional stress. It is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2006
Email  |  Save

Diarrhea (3 Videos, 4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stool. Diarrhea is considered chronic (long-term) when you have had loose or frequent stools for more than 4 weeks. Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/20/2008
Email  |  Save

Crohn's disease (19 Videos, 8 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Crohn's disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which involves ongoing (chronic) inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's-related inflammation usually affects the intestines, but may occur anywhere from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus. See also: Ulcerative colitis Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/20/2008
Email  |  Save

Gastric ulcer (1 Video, 6 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A gastric ulcer is a break in the normal tissue that lines the stomach. See also: Duodenal ulcer Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/28/2006
Email  |  Save

Gastrointestinal perforation (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gastrointestinal perforation is a hole that passes through the entire wall of the stomach, small intestine or large bowel. This condition is a medical emergency. Reviewer: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/14/2006
Email  |  Save

Gastrointestinal bleeding (2 Videos, 2 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gastrointestinal bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract, which extends from the mouth to the large bowel. The amount of bleeding can range from nearly undetectable to acute, massive, and life threatening. Bleeding may come from any site along the gastrointestinal tract, but is often divided into: Upper GI bleeding: The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is located between the mouth and outflow tract of the stomach; Lower GI bleeding: The lower GI tract is located from the outflow tract of the stomach to the anus (small and large bowel included. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/07/2007
Email  |  Save

Ulcerative colitis (17 Videos, 3 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and rectum. Reviewer: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/20/2008
Email  |  Save

Traveler's diarrhea diet (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Traveler's diarrhea is loose, watery, and frequent stools that occur after visiting areas with contaminated water supplies, poor sewage systems, or inadequate food handling. High-risk destinations include third-world or developing countries, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This article discusses the appropriate foods and fluids to consume if you develop traveler's diarrhea. See also: Diarrhea Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University.¿ Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/21/2008
Email  |  Save

Bananas and upset stomach (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
BRATBananas are part of the BRAT diet, a diet many physicians and nurses recommend for children recovering from gastrointestinal problems, particularly diarrhea. BRAT stands for the different components that make up the diet:BananasRice cerealAppl...Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, M.D., F.A.A.P., Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
Email  |  Save

Use Healthline to search the web for more Digestive Disorders information.