GERD
GERD is a disease in which acid from the stomach flows back (refluxes) into the esophagus, causing irritation and sometimes damage to the lining of the esophagus. The reflux of the stomach acid can reach high enough to affect the vocal cords or even flow into the lungs (called aspiration), causing damage to those tissues and organs as well.
Anne Charette, RN, MSN, ANP
Peter J Kahrilas, MD
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's Disease is an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract that affects children and adults. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown, but heredity factors are suspected to contribute. Common symptoms of Crohn's Disease include mouth sores, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss and fever. Patients can also have symptoms outside of the digestive tract including a skin rash, joint pain, eye redness and less commonly liver problems. This disease is typically diagnosed by the presence of specific symptoms and by tests such as a colonoscopy and imaging tests that use barium.
Mark A Peppercorn, MD
Hepatitis C
The term "hepatitis" is used to describe a common form of liver injury. Hepatitis simply means "inflammation of the liver" There are many causes of hepatitis; examples include alcohol, certain drugs, poisonous mushrooms, and viruses. Hepatitis C usually causes no symptoms when people first become infected. However in approximately 80 percent of people, the virus becomes chronic and has the potential to cause liver damage ranging in severity from mild to severe. In some patients scar tissue (called fibrosis) accumulates in the liver, which can eventually become extensive, leading to cirrhosis (a term used to describe a severely scarred liver). Patients who have developed cirrhosis are at an increased risk for developing complications since the scarred liver's ability to perform all of its many functions is diminished.
Peter A L Bonis, MD
Sanjiv Chopra, MD
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the term used to describe a diseased liver that has been severely scarred, usually due to many years of continuous injury. The liver is a large organ (weighing about three pounds) that is located in the right upper abdomen, beneath the rib cage. It performs the many that are essential to life (cleansing toxins from blood, producing blood proteins for blood clotting and producing fluids and enzymes required for normal digestion). The body is able to tolerate a partially scarred liver without serious consequences. However, eventually the scarring can become so severe that the liver is no longer able to perform its normal functions.
Peter A L Bonis, MD
Sanjiv Chopra, MD
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Its cardinal symptoms are abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, but these symptoms have no identifiable cause. Several treatments and therapies are available for IBS. These measures help alleviate symptoms, but do not cue the condition. The chronic nature of IBS and the challenge of controlling its symptoms can be frustrating for both patients and doctors. Treatment is more likely to be successful when a person gathers information about IBS and works closely with his or her doctor to tailor a treatment plan.
Arnold Wald, MD
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids develop from dilated veins in the lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may be internal (located inside the lower rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). Both types of hemorrhoids can be present at the same time. Symptoms of hemorrhoids can include the following:
- Painless bleeding
- Itching in the anal region
- Protrusion of an internal hemorrhoid through the anus
- Pain
- Leakage of feces
Rondald Bleday, MD
Celiac Disease
Read more about Celiac in this informative pamphlet.
This web site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The information presented on this web site is presented for informational and educational purposes only.
The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner.
© Copyright 2011 Nevada Gastroenterology. All Rights Reserved.