13^th Euro-Global Gastroenterology Conference

Oesophageal disease

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The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food, and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or have trouble swallowing. The most common problem with the esophagus is GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease). With GERD, a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus. Other problems include heartburn, cancer, and esophagitis. Doctors may use various tests to make a diagnosis. These include imaging tests, an upper endoscopy, and a biopsy.

The following are additional diseases and conditions that affect the esophagus:

• Achalasia
• Acute esophageal necrosis
• Barrett's esophagus
• Boerhaave syndrome
• Caustic injury to the esophagus
• Chagas disease
• Diffuse esophageal spasm
• Esophageal atresia and Tracheoesophageal fistula
• Esophageal cancer
• Esophageal dysphagia
• Esophageal varices
• Esophageal web
• Esophagitis
• Hiatus hernia
• Jackhammer esophagus (hypercontractile peristalsis)
• Killian–Jamieson diverticulum
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome
• Neurogenic dysphagia
• Nutcracker esophagus
• Schatzki's ring
• Zenker's Diverticulum

Gastroesophageal Reflux disease: is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD. Doctors believe that some people suffer from GERD due to a condition called hiatal hernia. In most cases, GERD can be relieved through diet and lifestyle changes; however, some people may require medication or surgery.

Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastro esophageal reflux is the return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach's contents to flow up into the esophagus.