Peptic Ulcer
What is a peptic ulcer? A peptic ulcer is a hole in the gut lining of the stomach, duodenum, or esophagus. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer; of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer; and of the esophagus, an esophageal ulcer. An ulcer occurs when the lining of these organs is corroded by the acidic […]
Vomiting Blood
What is Vomiting Blood? Vomiting of blood can be a serious condition and usually one needs immediate medical attention. The causes could be from simple to complicated ones and a physician’s judgment is needed to discern this. The causes range from problems of the esophagus like ulcers, erosion or a tear called Mallory-Weiss tear. Stomach […]
Cancer of the Esophagus
What is the Esophagus? The esophagus is a hollow tube that carries food and liquids from the throat to the stomach. When a person swallows, the muscular walls of the esophagus contract to push food down into the stomach. Glands in the lining of the esophagus produce mucus, which keeps the passageway moist and makes […]
Barrett’s Esophagus
What is Barrett’s Esophagus? In order to understand Barrett’s esophagus it is useful to understand the normal appearance of the esophagus. In a normal esophagus, the tissue lining appears pale pink and smooth. These flat square cells, called “squamous” cells, make up the normal lining of the esophagus. See illustraion A below. In contrast, Barrett’s […]
Ulcers of the Esophagus
What is the Ulcers Of Esophagus? An esophagus ulcer is the chronic inflammation of the esophagus, therefore often called esophagitis. Esophagus ulcers can lead to a condition called Barrett Esophagus. Synonyms found for esophagus ulcer are Barrett Ulcer, BE, Chronic Peptic Ulcer and Esophagitis Syndrome or Esophagitis-Peptic Ulcer. What are the causes? The ulceration of the […]
Difficulty of Swallowing or Dysphagia
What is difficulty of swallowing or dysphagia? Difficulty of swallowing or Dysphagia generally means that when one swallows solids or liquids or both, the food goes down through the esophagus or food pipe with hesitation leading to discomfort or even pain. At times the food may be stuck in the esophagus for seconds to minutes […]
GERD or Reflux
What is GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid […]
Internal Bleeding
What is Internal Bleeding? Internal Bleeding is a condition in which people bleed internally from the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. GI tract is a vast organ system which starts in mouth, goes down to the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (which is about 22 feet long!) and finally to colon which could be 4-6 feet long and […]
Dyspepsia or Bloatiness
What is Dysepsia? Dyspepsia means painful, difficult, or disturbed digestion not associated with a definitive pathologic condition. Dysepsia – often called indigestion – is a common malady that many associate with the TV ads for antacids. While dyspeptic symptoms are often caused by overeating or eating the wrong foods, the disorder can be associated with […]
Stomach Cancer
What is Stomach Cancer? Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body. Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. […]