gastroenterology Archives

GERD Awareness Week

Posted on November 23, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how your dinner may lead to symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Approximately 20% of Americans suffer from GERD, making it one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions in the United States. GERD is not the same thing as acid reflux or heartburn, though these terms are often used interchangeably.

Acid reflux, which also occurs as a symptom of GERD, involves stomach acid flowing up from your stomach into your esophagus, leading to a burning sensation in your chest. Heartburn causes a similar burning sensation in the same area. Chocolate, tomato sauce, coffee, alcohol, dried foods, and spicy foods, as well as large meals in general, can cause these symptoms to flare up.

If you have GERD or often suffer from acid reflux or heartburn after a meal, there are a variety of prescription and nonprescription medications you can rely on to help manage your symptoms this Thanksgiving. These medications, including antacids, H-2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, reduce or negate the effects of stomach acid on your esophageal tissue by neutralizing it or reducing its production.

If medication fails to help manage your symptoms, there are surgical treatments available for GERD, including fundoplication (a minimally-invasive procedure that prevents reflux) or a LINX device implant (which blocks reflux while allowing food to pass through the junction of the stomach and esophagus).

As a long-term condition, GERD can contribute to your risk of developing other medical problems. Repeated contact with stomach acid can cause your esophageal tissue to become inflamed, develop ulcers, and even experience precancerous changes.

Don’t let GERD stop you from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner with your family. You can schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to get started on your treatment by calling (718) 206-7001.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Difficulty Swallowing Food? Learn the Facts About Dysphagia

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Michael Hinck

Swallowing is a function of our body that we do every day and give very little thought as to how it is achieved. We consider it to be a simple accomplishment, but in fact, it is very complex and involves the coordination of the brain, nerves, and muscles in mouth, pharynx and esophagus.

For some however, swallowing can become difficult or even impossible. This may be due to a range of diseases, commonly referred to as dysphagia. This category of health conditions can become a serious problem that requires medical attention.

There are generally two different types of dysphagia.

Esophageal dysphagia – This refers to the sensation of food getting stuck in the base of your throat or chest after you’ve started to swallow. This type of dysphagia can be caused by a number of issues, including a narrowing of the esophagus due to tumors or scarring, poorly coordinated contractions or spasms in the esophagus, or the lower esophageal muscle not allowing food to enter the stomach.
Oropharyngeal dysphagia – This focuses on swallowing issues that involve the process of moving food from the mouth to the throat when you begin to swallow. Causes for this type of dysphagia are often related to neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or Parkinson’s disease. It can also occur after sudden neurological damage from a stroke or spinal cord injury.

Swallowing problems can occur at any age, but they are more common in older adults. Symptoms include:

Having pain while swallowing
Drooling
Being hoarse
Regurgitating food
Having frequent heartburn
Having food or stomach acid back up into your throat
Losing weight without explanation
Coughing or gagging when swallowing

In addition to the constant risk of choking, dysphagia can also introduce bacteria into the lungs when food enters the airway, leading to aspiration pneumonia. Other complications from dysphagia include malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration.

Treatment for dysphagia depends on the underlying cause. On some occasions the condition can be managed easily while complex swallowing problems may require treatment by a specialist.

Those with swallowing problems can do many things to manage their condition, including sitting upright or standing while eating and for 15 minutes after eating, cutting up food into small pieces, eating slowly, and drinking plenty of fluids while eating.

To make an an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Gastroenterology, please call 718-206-7001.

Liver Cirrhosis: Symptoms and Treatment

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Cirrhosis is a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver. According to the National Institutes of Health, cirrhosis is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease.

The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver vary with the stage of the illness. In the beginning stages, there may not be any symptoms. As the disease worsens, symptoms may include:

Loss of appetite
Lack of energy (fatigue), which may be debilitating
Weight loss or sudden weight gain
Bruises
Yellowing of skin or the whites of eyes (jaundice)
Itchy skin
Fluid retention (edema) and swelling in the ankles, legs, and abdomen (often an early sign)
A brownish or orange tint to the urine
Light colored stools
Confusion, disorientation, personality changes
Blood in the stool
Fever

Cirrhosis of the liver can be diagnosed through a physical exam, blood tests, biopsy and surgery. During a physical exam, your doctor can observe changes in how your liver feels or how large it is (a cirrhotic liver is bumpy and irregular instead of smooth). If your doctor suspects cirrhosis, you will be given blood tests to find out if liver disease is present. In some cases, cirrhosis is diagnosed during surgery when the doctor is able to see the entire liver. The liver also can be inspected through a laparoscope, a viewing device that is inserted through a tiny incision in the abdomen.

Although there is no cure for cirrhosis of the liver, there are treatments available that can stop or delay its progress, minimize the damage to liver cells, and reduce complications. For cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse, the person must stop drinking alcohol to halt the progression of cirrhosis. Medications may be given to control the symptoms of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation may be needed for some people with severe cirrhosis.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of liver cirrhosis schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately. The Department of Gastroenterology at Jamaica Hospital specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. To schedule an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.