Resources
Common GI Condtions
GI Diseases, Conditions GERD, Peptic Ulcer, Irritable
Bowel Syndrome IBS Common GI Conditions
Gastrointestinal Diseases:
• GERD –
gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Barretts Esophagus
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Hepatitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD) (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS)
• Hemorrhoids
• Diverticulosis
• Celiac Disease
GERD
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 or with lying down at night.
If left untreated, GERD can cause inflammation of the
esophagus (esophagitis), ulcers in the esophagus, swallowing
difficulties due to narrowing (stricture), or more serious
complications, such as Barrett’s Esophagus. Studies
suggest that people suffering from long term (chronic)
GERD may be at a higher risk of a specific type of esophageal
cancer. Treatment of GERD may include diet and lifestyle
changes, as well as medications. It is usually a lifelong
disorder.
For more information, you may visit the following websites:
www.askasge.org/pages/brochures/barretts_patient.cfm
www.acg.gi.org/patients/pdfs/UnderstandGERD.pdf
www.acg.gi.org/patients/patientinfo/gerd.asp
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967
Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's Esophagus is a precancerous condition that
complicates chronic untreated GERD. The repeated backflow
of stomach acid into the esophagus can cause a transformation
of the lining of the esophagus to a new lining with
precancerous intestinal cells.
People with Barrett's Esophagus can be found in up to
15% of the people that undergo upper endoscopy (EGD).
Because Barrett's cannot be detected by a blood test
or x-ray, EGD is needed to diagnose it in patients at
risk. Biopsies taken during an EGD can help identify
the precancerous cells so that the progression to cancer
can be monitored and halted.
For more information, you may visit the following websites
www.askasge.org/pages/brochures/barretts_patient.cfm
www.barrettsinfo.com/
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/index.htm
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) occurs when stomach acid
penetrates the stomach or duodenal causing sores. One
major cause is a bacterium called Helicobacter Pylori
(H. Pylori). Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics that
treat H. Pylori. A second cause of ulcers is regular
use of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS
e.g. Celebrex, Aspirin, BC or Goody powder, Advil, Motrin,
Nuprin, Aleve) that are commonly used for pain relief.
Often, people who develop ulcers on these medications
do not have typical symptoms of pain, nausea or vomiting.
Because ulcers can be caused by regular use of NSAIDS,
if you are taking over-the-counter pain medications
on a regular basis, you should talk with your physician
about the potential for ulcers and other GI side effects.
Symptoms of ulcers include abdominal pain, nausea or
vomiting. Serious complications include bleeding, perforation
or obstruction. REMEMBER, about half the people who
present with a perforated or bleeding ulcer do not report
any other prior symptoms. Ulcers can be healed with
medications that can decrease acid production and sometimes
these medications need to be taken lifelong, esp. if
ulcer was complicated by bleeding or perforation. H.
Pylori induced ulcers can be cured in 85-90% people
by a course of antibiotics.
For more information, you may visit the following website
www.acg.gi.org/patients/patientinfo/ulcers.asp
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/index.htm
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused
by alcohol abuse, viral infections (such as Hepatitis
A, B or C), auto immune disease or metabolic inherited
disorders. Significant hepatitis can cause Jaundice
(yellow coloring of the skin). Prolonged untreated hepatitis
can cause permanent liver cell damage and scarring of
the liver, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver
cancer.
For more information on all types of Hepatitis, you
may visit the following websites:
Hepatitis
A
Hepatitis
B
Hepatitis
C
Liver
Cancer
Hemochromatosis
Liver
Transplantation
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/topics/hepatitis.asp
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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.
Symptoms include diarrhea with or without blood, abdominal
pain, and weight loss.
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.
Visit the Colitis foundation for more information:
www.ccfa.org/info/?LMI=3
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/index.htm
- Crohn’s Disease
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colitis/index.htm
- Ulcerative Colitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder of the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract characterized by abdominal pain associated
with alterations in bowel function, diarrhea, constipation
or both, typically over months or years, in the absence
of inflammation. The cause is unknown but believed to
involve abnormal contractions of the bowel and/or a
heightened perception to stimuli from the bowel. Treatment
for IBS may include diet, medication, exercise, or some
combination of the three.
For more information visit the following web pages:
www.acg.gi.org/patients/ibsrelief/IBS.pdf
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/index.htm
Hemorrhoids
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. Large
Internal hemorrhoids causing severe symptoms may be
treated with band ligation, coagulation, or surgical
resection.
For more information, visit the following web page:
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids/index.htm
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis coli 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,. Most patients with diverticulosis
have no symptoms. If the pouches become inflamed, the
condition is called diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis is usually associated with symptoms such
as lower abdominal pain, fever, tenderness, and a change
in the shape of the 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. Rarely diverticulitis may require
hospitalization, emergency surgery or obstruction of
the colon. Lower GI bleeding is another uncommon but
serious complication of diverticulosis. It typically
presents with painless, large volume rectal bleeding
and is self limited in majority of cases.
Please visit the following website for more information:
www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/diverticular.asp
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/index.htm
CELIAC DISEASE
Celiac disease is a condition in which there is a chronic
reaction to certain protein chains, commonly referred
to as glutens, found in some cereal grains, primarily
Wheat, Rye and Barley. This reaction causes destruction
of the villi in the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption
of nutrients. It is estimated that approximately two
million Americans suffer from this condition.
Please visit the following pages for more information:
www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/celiac.asp
www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/index.htm
Celiac Disease Foundation - www.celiac.org.
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