Gastrointestinal Diseases:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Barrett's Esophagus
Hepatitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and
Ulcerative Colitis)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Hemorrhoids
Diverticulosis
For information on Colon Cancer, please visit the Colon
Cancer page of our website.
**To view pictures of the following disease processes, please visit
our Photo Gallery
GERD
[BACK TO TOP]
The acronym GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, often
referred to as "reflux". Gastroesophageal reflux is the
term used to describe a backflow of stomach acid from the stomach
into the swallowing tube or esophagus. The principal symptom is
heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone,
most commonly occurring after a meal. If left untreated, GERD can
cause inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), ulcers in the
esophagus, swallowing difficulties, or more serious complications.
Treatment of GERD may include diet and lifestyle changes, as well
as prescription medication.
For more information on GERD please refer to our FAQ page or visit
the following websites:
www.gerd.com
http://www.acg.gi.org/acg-dev/patientinfo/frame_giproblems.html
www.gastro.org/public/digestinfo.html
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/heartbrn/heartbrn.htm
http://www.prevacid.com/health_information/acid_reflux_disease/default.asp
Peptic Ulcer Disease
[BACK TO TOP]
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) occurs when stomach acid penetrates
the stomach causing sores that bleed, possibly leading to anemia,
and/or abdominal pain. Several things can cause ulcers in the stomach.
One major cause is a bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori).
Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics that treat H. Pylori. These
antibiotics have been successful in curing a high percentage of
ulcers in the stomach. A second cause of stomach ulcers is regular
use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) for pain (i.e.
Celebrex, Vioxx, Ultram, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Aleve). Because
ulcers can be caused by regular use of NSAIDS, if you are taking
over-the-counter pain medications on a regular basis, you will want
to talk with your physician about the potential for ulcers and other
GI side effects. A third cause may be an excessive amount of acid
in the stomach. When this is the cause of the ulcer, the physician
may prescribe medication to help control the acid and heal the ulcer.
For more information on Peptic Ulcer Disease and/or Helicobacter
Pylori, please refer to our FAQ page or visit the following websites:
http://gastro-org.healthology.com/focus_article.asp?f=xmlpressfeed&c=xml_pepticulcer
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/hpylori/hpylori.htm
http://www.acg.gi.org/patientinfo/cgp/cgpvol1.html#ulcer
www.helico.com
Barrett's Esophagus
[BACK TO TOP]
Barrett's Esophagus is a precancerous condition that is often associated
with severe heartburn. If GERD remains untreated, the repeated backflow
of stomach acid into the esophagus can cause the continuous formation
of erosions. Over time, a permanent red lining will develop over
the normal pinkish lining of the esophagus. The cells in the new
lining resemble those of the small intestine. People with severe
chronic reflux have a 50% chance of developing this condition.
A person who has Barrett's Esophagus is much more likely to develop
cancer. Because Barrett's cannot be detected by a blood test or
x-ray, screening consists of regular esophagogastroduodenoscopies
(EGDs). Biopsies taken during an EGD can help to identify the precancerous
cells so that the progression to cancer can be monitored and halted.
For more information on Barrett's Esophagus, you may visit:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/index.htm
www.barrettsinfo.com
Hepatitis
[BACK TO TOP]
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by a variety
of agents, including bacterial or viral infections, or physical
or chemical agents. There are many different types of Hepatitis,
though the most common are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, both of
which may cause liver cell damage leading to cirrhosis and cancer.
For more information on all types of Hepatitis, you may visit the
following websites:
http://www.hepfi.org/pages/living_start.html
www.hepnet.com
www.hepb.org
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/hep/index.htm
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
[BACK TO TOP]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a general term used to describe
chronic diseases that cause swelling and inflammation of the walls
of the digestive tract. The two types of IBD are Crohn's Disease
(Crohn's), and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Most patients who suffer
from either form of IBD have alternating periods of relative health
alternating with periods of disease, though some patients have continuous
symptoms from continued inflammation.
The severity of the disease varies between individuals. Some suffer
only mild symptoms, which are little more than a nuisance, while
others have severe and disabling symptoms which are a serious threat
to their health. Medical science has not yet discovered a cure,
but numerous medications are now available to control symptoms with
many more on the horizon. For more information on infusion therapy,
please visit the Remicade page of
our website.
For more information on Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
you may visit the following websites:
www.ccfa.org
www.healingwell.com/ibd/
http://www.gastro.org/public.html
http://www.acg.gi.org/patientinfo/cgp/cgpvol2.html#Inflammatory%20Bowel%20Disease
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/crohns/crohns.htm
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/colitis/colitis.htm
www.crohns.org/
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
[BACK TO TOP]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort associated
with alterations in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation or a
combination of both, typically over months or years. In a normally
functioning colon, the colon contracts rhythmically, to propel stool
through the colon. With IBS, the colon contracts in a disorganized,
sometimes violent manner. The abnormal contractions result in changing
bowel patterns, with constipation being most common. Treatment for
IBS may include diet, medication, exercise, or some combination
of the three.
For more information on Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you may visit
the following websites:
www.ibsgroup.org
www.aboutibs.org
http://www.gastro.org/public.html
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/irrbowel/irrbowel.htm
http://www.acg.gi.org/patientinfo/cgp/cgpvol2.html#Irritable%20Bowel
Hemorrhoids
[BACK TO TOP]
Hemorrhoids are cushions of swollen veins in the anal canal that
often cause discomfort. Symptoms include pain, itching, burning,
and bleeding. Constipation is a major cause of hemorrhoids, though
hemorrhoids may also be caused by sitting or standing for long periods
of time. Several over-the-counter measures to treat hemorrhoids
are available. These include: Ibuprofen for pain, warm sitz baths,
stool softeners, aloe wipes, creams, and drinking 64 ounces of water
daily. Internal hemorrhoids may be treated through a procedure called
Infared Coagulation (IRC).
For more information on hemorrhoids, you may visit the following
websites:
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/hems/hemords.htm
http://www.gastro.org/public.html
Diverticulosis
[BACK TO TOP]
Diverticulosis is a condition of the colon. Diverticula are small
pouches that bulge outward through weakened areas in the colon.
The pouches can be formed when pressure inside the colon builds,
usually because of constipation. Often, patients with diverticulosis
have no symptoms of discomfort. If the pouches become inflamed or
infected, the condition is called diverticulitis, which can be much
more serious. Diverticulitis is usually associated with symptoms
such as pain, tenderness, and a change in the shape of stool. A
patient with diverticulosis may never develop diverticulitis, but
should diverticulitis occur, the patient should immediately see
a physician. The physician may treat the patient with antibiotics
and a modified diet.
For more information on Diverticulosis, please refer to our FAQ
page or visit the following website:
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/divert/divert.htm
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Visit one of the following general health information websites:
http://www.gastro.org/
http://www.acg.gi.org/patientinfo/index.html
www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/digest.htm
www.webmd.com
www.medscape.com
www.healthfinder.gov
www.foodallergy.org
www.eatright.org
© 1997-2000 Iberia Gastroenterology Associates,
Inc.
|
