UPPER GI CONDITIONS

UPPER GI CONDITIONS2019-04-24T06:28:14+00:00
COMMON GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS

The information outlined below on common conditions and treatments of the stomach and intestine is provided as a guide only and it is not intended to be comprehensive. Discussion with Mr Hollowood or Mr Wilkerson is important to answer any questions that you may have.

For information about any additional conditions not featured within the site, please contact us for more information.

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness in the muscle or surrounding tissue wall. It usually develops between your chest and hips. In many cases, it causes no or very few symptoms, although you may notice a swelling or lump in your tummy (abdomen) or groin.

There are a various types of hernia that you may suffer from.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of the various types of hernia here.

Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening, it’s called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

The main symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn and/or an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid. These symptoms will probably be worse after eating, when lying down and when bending over.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of Anti-reflux disease here.

Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. In most cases, they don’t cause any symptoms and don’t need to be treated. But if a gallstone becomes trapped in an opening (duct) inside the gallbladder, it can trigger a sudden, intense abdominal pain that usually lasts between 1 and 5 hours. This type of abdominal pain is known as biliary colic.

Some people with gallstones can also develop complications, such as inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis). When gallstones cause symptoms or complications, it’s known as gallstone disease or cholelithiasis.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallstones here.

The oesophagus (gullet) is the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (see diagram below). In Barrett’s oesophagus, there are changes in the cells on the inner lining of the oesophagus at the lower end. Barrett’s oesophagus can occur at any age. It can affect both men and women, but it is more common in men.

The cell changes in Barrett’s oesophagus can sometimes develop into something called dysplasia. Dysplasia can be either low-grade or high-grade. In low-grade dysplasia, the cells are slightly abnormal. In high-grade, the cells are more abnormal.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of Barrett’s Oesophagus here.

Gastro-Intestinal (GI) cancer is a term for the group of cancers that affect the digestive system. This includes cancers of the oesophagus, gallbladder & biliary tract, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, bowel (large intestine or colon and rectum), and anus.

Treatment for GI cancer will depend on the type of cancer, the stage or its development, and other health factors. Treatment commonly includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastro-intestinal Cancer here.

Achalasia is a rare disorder of the food pipe (oesophagus), which can make it difficult to swallow food and drink. Normally, the muscles of the oesophagus contract to squeeze food along towards the stomach. A ring of muscle at the end of the food pipe then relaxes to let food into the stomach.

In achalasia, the muscles in the oesophagus don’t contract correctly and the ring of muscle can fail to open properly, or doesn’t open at all. Food and drink cannot pass into the stomach and becomes stuck. It is often brought back up.

Read More About the Diagnosis and Treatment of Achalasia here.

Discussion with Mr Hollowood or Mr Wilkerson is important to answer any questions that you may have. For information about any additional conditions not featured within the site, please contact us for more information.

QUICK ENQUIRY

Type of Enquiry

Please enter any further details here:

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Telephone/Mobile No (required)