Condition Lookup

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
heartburn; regurgitation of food or sour liquid; difficulty swallowing; chest pain; chronic cough; hoarseness; sensation of a lump in the throat

Root Cause:
The backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus due to a weak or dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through clinical evaluation, endoscopy, pH monitoring, esophageal manometry, or barium swallow studies.

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (e.g., weight loss, dietary changes), medications, and surgery in severe cases (e.g., fundoplication).

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or esomeprazole to reduce stomach acid; H2-receptor antagonists like ranitidine or famotidine for acid suppression; antacids for quick relief; prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide to improve esophageal motility.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 20% of adults in the Western world.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, smoking, alcohol consumption, and dietary factors such as high-fat or spicy foods.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable with treatment; chronic GERD may lead to complications if untreated.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, strictures, and an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Esophageal Stricture

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Structural Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); painful swallowing (odynophagia); regurgitation of food; unexplained weight loss; chest pain

Root Cause:
Narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue formation, inflammation, or external compression, often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), radiation therapy, or ingestion of caustic substances.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using endoscopy, barium swallow X-ray, or esophageal manometry.

Treatment:
Endoscopic dilation using a balloon or bougie, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for acid suppression, and addressing the underlying cause (e.g., GERD treatment). In severe cases, surgical intervention may be required.

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole , lansoprazole ) to reduce acid and prevent further damage. Corticosteroids may be used in certain inflammatory strictures.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among adults with GERD; prevalence increases with age and in patients with a history of esophageal trauma or surgery.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic GERD, radiation therapy to the chest, esophageal surgery, ingestion of corrosive substances, certain infections (e.g., fungal or viral esophagitis).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated early, but recurrence is possible. Long-term acid suppression therapy is often needed to prevent recurrence.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent dysphagia, food impaction, malnutrition, and an increased risk of esophageal perforation during dilation.

Esophageal Rings and Webs

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Structural Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (intermittent dysphagia); sensation of food sticking in the throat; regurgitation; chest discomfort after eating large meals

Root Cause:
Thin, membrane-like constrictions in the esophagus caused by structural abnormalities, congenital defects, or chronic acid exposure. Schatzki rings are typically located at the gastroesophageal junction.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Barium swallow X-ray or upper endoscopy.

Treatment:
Endoscopic dilation, lifestyle modifications (e.g., eating smaller bites, thorough chewing), and acid suppression therapy using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole , esomeprazole ) to reduce acid reflux and prevent progression.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively common; Schatzki rings are found in up to 6-14% of the population, often asymptomatic.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
GERD, chronic acid reflux, genetic predisposition, age (more common in adults over 40).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment, but recurrence of symptoms may occur if GERD is not managed.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent dysphagia, esophageal perforation during treatment, risk of aspiration if untreated.

Esophageal Diverticula (e.g., Zenker’s Diverticulum)

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Structural Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing; regurgitation of undigested food; chronic bad breath (halitosis); coughing or choking while eating; unexplained weight loss

Root Cause:
Outpouching of the esophageal wall, typically caused by increased pressure within the esophagus due to motility disorders or muscle weakness.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Barium swallow X-ray or upper endoscopy.

Treatment:
Surgical correction (e.g., endoscopic diverticulotomy, myotomy), dietary modifications, and treatment of underlying motility issues.

Medications:
No specific medications directly treat diverticula; acid suppression (PPIs) may be prescribed to manage associated GERD.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, more common in older adults, especially over the age of 60.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age, esophageal motility disorders, chronic GERD.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with surgical treatment; untreated cases may lead to progressive symptoms and complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, perforation, or esophageal obstruction.

Achalasia

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing; regurgitation of undigested food; chest pain; heartburn-like symptoms; unintentional weight loss

Root Cause:
Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax due to nerve degeneration, causing impaired esophageal motility and food stasis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via esophageal manometry (gold standard), barium swallow X-ray, and endoscopy to rule out other causes.

Treatment:
Pneumatic dilation, surgical myotomy (Heller myotomy), or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM); medications such as nitrates or calcium channel blockers may be used in mild cases.

Medications:
Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine ) and nitrates (e.g., isosorbide dinitrate ) to relax the LES; botulinum toxin injections can provide temporary relief.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, affecting approximately 1 in 100,000 people annually; more common in middle-aged and older adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
No definitive risk factors, though genetic predisposition and autoimmune mechanisms are suspected.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate intervention, but symptoms may recur. Long-term follow-up is often required.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of aspiration, esophageal perforation during dilation, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (long-term complication).

Esophagitis

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
pain or difficulty swallowing; chest pain; heartburn; regurgitation; nausea; vomiting; sore throat

Root Cause:
Inflammation of the esophageal lining caused by acid reflux, infections, medications, or allergies.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endoscopy with biopsy, barium swallow studies, and laboratory tests for infectious causes.

Treatment:
Addressing the underlying cause, acid suppression therapy, treating infections with appropriate medications, and dietary modifications.

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like pantoprazole for acid suppression; antifungals like fluconazole for fungal infections; antivirals like acyclovir for herpes esophagitis; corticosteroids for eosinophilic esophagitis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; varies depending on the underlying cause (e.g., GERD-related esophagitis affects millions).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
GERD, immunosuppression, prolonged medication use, food allergies, and certain infections.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment; untreated cases can lead to complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Strictures, ulcers, bleeding, and perforation in severe cases.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing; food impaction; chest pain; heartburn; upper abdominal pain; vomiting in children

Root Cause:
Chronic allergic inflammatory condition caused by eosinophil infiltration into the esophageal lining.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endoscopy with biopsy revealing eosinophilic infiltration (>15 eosinophils per high-power field); allergy testing.

Treatment:
Elimination diets, acid suppression therapy, and corticosteroids (topical or systemic).

Medications:
Topical corticosteroids like fluticasone or budesonide (swallowed); proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole for acid suppression.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 2,000 people, more common in males and individuals with atopic conditions.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Personal or family history of allergies, asthma, or atopic dermatitis.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment, but it often requires long-term management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Esophageal strictures, food impactions, and reduced quality of life.

Infectious Esophagitis

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
painful swallowing; difficulty swallowing; chest pain; fever in some cases; nausea

Root Cause:
Infections of the esophagus, commonly caused by Candida species, herpes simplex virus (HSV), or cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompromised individuals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endoscopy with biopsy and culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for viral pathogens.

Treatment:
Antimicrobial or antiviral therapy, depending on the causative agent.

Medications:
Antifungals like fluconazole for Candida ; antivirals such as acyclovir for HSV and ganciclovir for CMV.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplants.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Immunosuppression, prolonged corticosteroid use, and uncontrolled diabetes.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; delayed therapy can lead to complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Perforation, strictures, and dissemination of the infection.

Barrett’s Esophagus

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders

Symptoms:
often asymptomatic; chronic heartburn; difficulty swallowing; chest pain; regurgitation

Root Cause:
Replacement of normal esophageal squamous epithelium with metaplastic columnar epithelium due to chronic acid exposure from GERD.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Endoscopy with biopsy confirming intestinal metaplasia.

Treatment:
Regular surveillance with endoscopy, acid suppression with PPIs, and endoscopic interventions for dysplasia or early cancer.

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole or lansoprazole to control acid reflux.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1-2% of the population, more common in males and individuals over 50.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic GERD, obesity, smoking, and a family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Stable for most; requires monitoring due to the risk of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Dysplasia and increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Diffuse Esophageal Spasm

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
chest pain (often mistaken for angina); difficulty swallowing (dysphagia); regurgitation; sensation of food stuck in the chest; pain that may radiate to the back or arms

Root Cause:
Uncoordinated or simultaneous esophageal muscle contractions that disrupt normal swallowing. The cause is often idiopathic but may involve nerve dysfunction or muscle hyperresponsiveness.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically includes barium swallow X-rays, esophageal manometry (measuring esophageal muscle contractions), and endoscopy to rule out structural abnormalities.

Treatment:
Treatment involves dietary modifications, medications to relax the esophagus, and, in severe cases, endoscopic or surgical interventions.

Medications:
Medications include calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem or nifedipine ) to reduce muscle contractions, nitrates (e.g., isosorbide dinitrate ) to relax esophageal muscles, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) if reflux symptoms coexist.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, exact prevalence unknown, but it is estimated to affect less than 1% of the population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Older age, stress, anxiety, and other motility disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often manageable with medications and lifestyle changes. Severe cases may require advanced therapies, but the condition does not usually lead to life-threatening complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of malnutrition, weight loss, or aspiration pneumonia due to chronic dysphagia; potential progression to esophageal spasm with impaired quality of life.

Nutcracker Esophagus

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
chest pain; painful swallowing (odynophagia); difficulty swallowing; heartburn-like symptoms; spasms triggered by hot or cold foods or drinks

Root Cause:
Excessive pressure during esophageal muscle contractions, though the contractions remain coordinated. It may result from heightened nerve sensitivity or hypercontractile response.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via high-resolution esophageal manometry, which measures pressure and coordination of esophageal contractions.

Treatment:
Treatment includes muscle relaxants, pain management, and dietary adjustments. Behavioral therapy may be helpful for managing stress-related triggers.

Medications:
Medications include calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine ), nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin ) to reduce muscle pressure, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., sertraline ) to modulate pain perception.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, accounting for about 4-6% of esophageal motility disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, anxiety, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate management; symptoms can be alleviated, but chronic cases may require ongoing treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Potential weight loss or esophageal mucosal damage if the condition is associated with significant reflux.

Ineffective Esophageal Motility

Specialty: Gastrointestinal

Category: Esophageal Disorders

Sub-category: Motility Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing (especially liquids); food regurgitation; heartburn; chest discomfort after eating; cough due to aspiration

Root Cause:
Weak or absent esophageal muscle contractions, leading to impaired transit of food and liquids to the stomach. Often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
High-resolution esophageal manometry is used to identify weak peristalsis or failed esophageal contractions. Endoscopy may be used to rule out structural abnormalities.

Treatment:
Treatment includes addressing underlying GERD, dietary changes, and, in some cases, medications to improve motility.

Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., omeprazole ) to treat associated reflux, prokinetic agents (e.g., metoclopramide ) to enhance esophageal motility, and H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine) for mild reflux symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Commonly found in patients with GERD, with prevalence estimated between 30-40% in this group.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
GERD, obesity, connective tissue disorders (e.g., scleroderma), and advanced age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms are often manageable with treatment; severe cases may require long-term management strategies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, and esophageal strictures if GERD is not effectively managed.