You may not give it much thought because swallowing is fast, efficient and almost automatic. But if you have an esophageal stricture, you may realize just how important the simple act of swallowing is. An esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the...
An esophageal stricture is a structural narrowing of the esophagus, the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. The narrowing of this tube leads to difficulties in swallowing and, sometimes, pain and regurgitation. If...
Stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the esophagus or food pipe that extends from the mouth to the stomach. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the back-flow of stomach acid in the esophagus and is a major risk factor for stricture....
The esophagus, the tube that carries food, liquids and saliva from the mouth to the stomach, may require surgery for a variety of reasons, such as the treatment of esophageal cancer, motility disorders including dysphagia and achalasia, both...
Varices are dilated vessels in the throat or stomach that develop as a result of liver cirrhosis and carry high morbidity and mortality, particularly bleeding complications, if left untreated. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is a method of treating...
Strictures, an abnormal narrowing, can affect any vessel, duct or passageway in the body. Symptoms, diagnostic techniques and treatments vary, depending on the location and the amount of limitation caused by the stricture. The seriousness of a...
Increasing your daily fiber intake reduces cholesterol levels and your risk of heart disease. However, you may find it difficult reaching your daily fiber intake through food alone. The American Heart Association states most Americans only consume...
Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, is a condition in which acid in your stomach travels into the esophagus. The acid can irritate your esophagus and cause burning and pain. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, more than 60 million...
For those who suffer from dyshagia, swallowing is difficult and often painful. Some people with dysphagia experience trouble swallowing foods, liquids and even their own saliva. In certain cases, the dysphagia sufferer is unable to swallow at...
Fosavance is a medication which contains the compounds alendronate and calciferol. Alendronate is a bisphosphonate and is most commonly used to treat osteoporosis. Calciferol is the name for a synthetic form of vitamin D, which can also be used to...
Derived from the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, psyllium husk is used worldwide as a natural treatment for a wide range of conditions. The dosage you should take and how long you take it depend on the condition you aim to treat. Taking too...
Psyllium is classified as a bulk-forming laxative, and you can find it in dozens of over-the-counter medicines. In addition to its use in treating constipation, it has other potential medical applications, particularly in treating bowel and other...
MayoClinic.com defines heartburn as a burning sensation that occurs in the chest behind the breastbone. Occasional heartburn is a common ailment that affects most people at some point. If you experience frequent, chronic heartburn, it can indicate...
Acid in the throat, more commonly referred to as acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid and other stomach contents travel backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. Most people experience acid reflux at some point in their lives. If you...
Cirrhosis of the liver was the twelfth leading cause of death in the United States in 2005 and developed as a consequence of alcoholism in over 45 percent of cases, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports. Alcoholics often...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid or bile flows backward from the stomach and back up into the esophagus. When the acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes irritation and destruction and makes the...
Fosamax is a trade name for the medication alendronate, which is used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Alendronate belongs to the bisphosphonate drug group. Bones are living tissues that are in a constant state of turnover. Old...
GERD, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic digestive disorder characterized by a burning pain in the chest and nausea after eating. The pain and nausea occur as a result of stomach acid and bile that reflux into the...
Minerals, including calcium, are essential nutrients you need to consume daily for health and prevention of disease. The best way to obtain minerals is through plant-based foods, yet you may need to take supplements if your diet is deficient in...
Acid reflux is both a common and abnormal condition in which acid from the stomach rises up into the esophagus. It is caused by a malfunctioning valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Complications of chronic acid reflux may include...
Both inulin and psyllium are natural, plant-based starches that are often used for similar health purposes. You might take psyllium or inulin to help treat diabetes, constipation or high triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Inulin and psyllium...
Acid reflux is the result of the acidic contents of the stomach traveling up into the esophagus, where they cause damage to the esophageal lining. In some cases, progressive damage of the esophagus can make swallowing difficult or painful, which...
Esophageal variceal sclerotherapy is a procedure used to treat bleeding from esophageal varices. A gastroenterologist performs sclerotherapy by using an endoscope to visualized the varices and injecting a sclerosing solution into the vein to stop...
According to the National Institutes of Health, Nexium, whose generic name is esomeprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat acid related disorders of the stomach and small intestine. Nexium is mainly prescribed to treat gastroesophageal...
A burning sensation in the chest after eating a meal usually means you are one of the millions of Americans who has experienced acid reflux. Acid reflux is a common condition that causes more discomfort than actual health risks. However, acid...
Because it is gentle on the system, a soft diet is prescribed for certain illnesses and while recovering from surgery. Depending on the condition, one of two types of soft diet is used: digestive or mechanical. While similar in many ways, there...
The sensation of chest discomfort triggers a serious concern of the possibility of a heart attack. It's advisable to seek medical attention to determine if the cause of the discomfort is cardiac. However, there are problems in the digestive...
Heartburn is a common digestive issue that causes patients to experience a burning pain in the chest and back of their throat. It is a common symptom of acid reflux, in which the contents of the stomach travel back up the esophagus. Because the...
Acid reflux is a common condition that restricts the diet of many Americans. The abnormal backwards flow of acid into the esophagus can cause a burning sensation known as heartburn that may make it seem impossible to find a diet that works for...