Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Inflammatory and Infectious Disorders
Number of Conditions: 5
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Esophageal Disorders
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.
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.