513 – What Else Can We Attribute to GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly discussed in the pages of the IFFGD publication, Digestive Health Matters. Therefore readers will be familiar with the common consequences of acid from the stomach refluxing upwards into the unprotected esophagus. These include heartburn, unexplained chest pain (non-cardiac chest pain), and inflammation and scarring of the lower esophagus (esophageal stricture) leading to swallowing difficulty. However, this article deals with several seldom-described consequences of GERD that are not rare and which can cause great distress in their own right: sore throat, cough; nocturnal choking; aspiration pneumonia; asthma; acid laryngitis; dental erosions; reflux dyspareunia are discussed. Reviewed and updated 2009.
527 – Barrett’s Esophagus
Norman Barrett was a pathologist. In 1950, he described an abnormality in the lining of the lower esophagus that bears his name (i.e., Barrett’s esophagus). We now believe that it is due to severe, longstanding, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Significantly, most people with GERD have no such abnormality. Nevertheless, the presence of Barrett’s esophagus is an important observation since those who have it are at greater than normal risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. A review of diagnosis, management, and treatment. Revised and updated 2012.
548 – Barrett’s Esophagus and Diet
Patients with Barrett’s esophagus are often confused about dietary recommendations. This Clinical Corner article outlines our current understanding of how certain foods may affect those who suffer from reflux, GERD, or Barrett’s esophagus; and gives some general guidelines for eating patterns that may prevent worsening symptoms.
116 – Doctor – Patient Communication
Functional GI disorders present a special challenge to the doctor-patient interaction for several reasons. First, functional GI disorders are characterized, in most cases, by vague symptoms of variable intensity. Many times, these symptoms involve the most intimate anatomic areas of the body. The sensitivity of these issues can complicate the task for the patient who needs to express them in terms that the physician can interpret to formulate a diagnosis. Secondly, the physician is hampered by the absence of obvious structural lesions that often lessens the likelihood of devising a specific medical intervention that is successful. In some cases, the physician’s own anxiety can be increased by the lack of a symptom complex that leads to well-understood disease entity, such as parasites or lactose intolerance. This deficiency, in turn, often leads both physician and patient to over-investigate the symptoms. So what are the ingredients that comprise successful doctor-patient communication about the functional GI disorders?
215- Problems with Doctors That Interfere with Treatment
The placebo effect can enhance therapy, and promote a successful relationship between healer and patient. However, a treatment administered by a healer may also have a bad effect. Any treatment may have a predictable risk, but a nocebo effect denotes worsening beyond the known risk – the adverse effect of a failed therapeutic relationship. This can result in sub-optimal health care. An examination of its causes and ways to avoid it are discussed.
221- The Medical History: How to Help Your Doctor Help You
The most important interaction between patient and doctor is the medical history. Through listening to the story of the patient’s illness and asking relevant questions, a physician may often make a diagnosis, or at least begin to understand the nature and location of the complaint. A few easy steps can help make this process more efficient leading to prompt, more precise diagnosis and treatment. Revised January 2012.
231 – Can Intense Exercise Lead to GI Symptoms?
Can exercise be linked to GI symptoms such as diarrhea or heartburn? This article will help you understand how exercise and associated factors can influence the GI tract.
206 -Health Reporting in the Media: What to Believe?
Most people learn of medical progress through the media. Yet this news is often unhelpful. Exaggerated cures, contradictions, and plainly misleading information can do harm. The problem is not science, but how journalists report it, and how the public interprets it. This essay aims to help readers make sense of health news. Reviewed 2009.
Antacids
Heartburn that occurs now and then is common. It’s brought on by backflow (reflux) of often acidic stomach contents into the food pipe (esophagus) and is usually felt as a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Antacid preparations serve to neutralize gastric acid after it is secreted. These still-helpful agents have a continuing role in treating […]
Choosing Apps for Managing Chronic GI Illness
In this episode of Exploring Gut Topics, we speak with William Chey, MD, Satish Rao, MD, and Amanda Lynett, RDN, to discuss apps designed to help patients manage chronic gastrointestinal illnesses and monitor GI motility. IFFGD does not endorse any of the apps listed below; however, we want patients to know what apps are available […]
Sarah’s Personal Story
Sarah’s Personal Story Hello, Reading the experiences is so heartbreaking. I want to share what has helped me. For 2 yrs now I have had so many scary symptoms from reflux and wasnt sure what it was. I was convinced I would die at times. i went to 3 Dr’s and the ER. They all […]
Bree’s Personal Story
Bree’s Personal Story: Acid Reflux I’m 16 and about 4 months Ago my tummy started grumbling after I ate certain things but I just ignored it at first then one Day I went out and had red rooster and that night I was up vomiting with the worst pain I was really confused why, I […]
