Conditions associated with too much acid in the esophagus are generally treated with antacids. Antacids are helpful in providing temporary relief by neutralizing stomach acid but don't do anything to heal an already damaged esophagus....
Although esophagus disorders have varying causes and symptoms, one of the more common symptoms is heartburn. The general approach to managing heartburn is to avoid anything that triggers your symptoms. Food is one of the chief culprits. Spicy...
The esophagus primarily serves to pass food to your stomach, which breaks down the food. To do so, the stomach secretes acid, produces a lubricant to protect itself from the acid, kills bacteria, starts the process of digesting proteins and...
Prilosec, also known by the generic name omeprazole, belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. Proton pump inhibitors are drugs used to decrease the production of stomach acid in order to allow various stomach and esophagus...
Your esophagus -- a structure that links your mouth and throat with your stomach -- helps transport ingested food or beverages from your mouth to your stomach. Your esophagus, which is located behind your heart and trachea, can expand or contract...
Pantoprazole sodium is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, severe inflammation of the esophagus and disorders in which excessive acid is secreted into the gastrointestinal tract. Pantoprazole...
Odynophagia is the medical term for pain, caused by problems in the upper pharynx or esophagus, when swallowing food. This esophageal pain usually occurs when swallowing both liquid and solids, and it can get worse over time. The condition may be...
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder of the esophagus that occurs due to constant exposure of the lining of the esophagus to stomach acid, according to Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Esophageal tissue changes and becomes similar to tissues of the...
Barrett's esophagus is a disorder that affects the lining of your esophagus. The lining becomes damaged by stomach acid, which is typically caused by conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Barrett's esophagus doesn't usually...
An endoscope is an instrument that has a light or camera at the end of it, so the physician can see the inside of an organ or cavity of the body. Endoscopy is the overall medical term for any procedure that uses an endoscope. Different types of...
Barrett's syndrome--also known as Barrett's esophagus--is a disorder of the esophagus that is thought to increase the risk of certain types of rare esophageal cancer. Since the risk of developing Barrett's syndrome is higher in people suffering...
The Lap-Band, a form of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), is a device to reduce weight in those who are obese. It was approved by the FDA in 2001. According to lapband.us, LAGB is the most frequently used surgery used in the...
Doctors diagnose diseases by the primary cause, for example, one type of diarrhea results from dysentery, an infection of the intestines caused by a bacterium. Another type of diarrhea can be caused by Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of...
Prevacid, the brand name for the medication lansoprazole, treats symptoms of heartburn. According to Mayo Clinic, Prevacid works by reducing acid production in the stomach. Too much acid can lead to stomach complications such as ulcers....
The dietary supplement market is a thriving industry in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that over 50 percent of Americans take dietary supplements, with multivitamins and multi-minerals being the most common....
Sudden unexplained weight loss describes a significant drop in body weight occurring without changes in caloric intake or activity level. A weight drop of more than 5 percent can often indicate the presence of any of wide variety of illnesses or...
Heartburn arises when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus after eating. Acid reflux causes the burning or painful feeling in the upper chest and throat. Frequent heartburn indicates gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Certain foods or...
Spinach makes a healthy addition to a diet for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD. Aside from containing vitamins and minerals, spinach provides you with dietary fiber to aid digestion. Smooth digestion helps avoid acid...
Omega-3 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties to aid digestive health, which helps to reduce or prevent the acid reflux that causes heartburn. Fish rich in omega-3s play an essential role in an acid reflux diet and contain protein to...
Whole grains usually help protect you from heartburn by aiding digestion. Overeating or eating too fast, however, causes indigestion, which increases the risk of heartburn. Common triggers for heartburn and indigestion include fried, fatty or...
Whenever you swallow foods or liquids, they pass from the back of your throat to your stomach through a long tube called the esophagus. Whenever you burp, the air rises through the esophagus to reach the back of your throat. However, your...
The human digestive system begins in the mouth and extends the length of the body to the anus. The digestive process begins with the breakdown of food into molecules. These molecules are then absorbed by cell membranes to provide energy. The...
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder -- you may have trouble swallowing, or it may be too painful to swallow. In extreme cases, you may be completely unable to swallow, making it difficult to consume enough calories to nourish your body, and a...
Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the tissue lining your esophagus changes, resembling the tissue that lines your small intestines. Barrett's esophagus does not normally cause symptoms, but can increase your risk of developing esophageal...
Gastrology is the study of digestive disorders that produce a variety of symptoms including loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and bleeding. Genetics and other disease processes affecting the digestive tract...
According to lapband.us, the most frequently used type of surgery performed for the treatment of weight loss is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The trend began in the 1990s and has grown in popularity due to its safety and...
The digestive system consists of connected organs that help the body break down and absorb nutrients from food. Digestive problems may affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and/or anus. Digestive symptoms...
Eating the right foods to reduce or prevent acid reflux helps alleviate problems affecting the throat and protects you from serious health conditions later on. Stomach acid backup that occurs after eating causes heartburn in your chest and throat...
Psyllium husk, the outer coating of the seed of a Plantago ovata plant, is a common bulk-forming laxative. It absorbs water in your digestive tract, swelling into a wet mass that bulks up the stool, making it easier to pass. It is used to treat...