Heartburn Conditions

If you’re suffering from heartburn frequently, our team of experts provide the most advanced techniques and technologies to diagnose and treat symptomatic heartburn and related conditions. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

In GERD, the valve at the top of the stomach (where the stomach and the esophagus connect) does not close tightly enough. This allows the contents of the stomach to move up into the esophagus.

GERD usually causes a feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain that often starts in the upper part of your belly, just below your breastbone (sternum). This feeling (called heartburn) may spread in waves upward into your throat, and you may have a sour taste in your mouth. Some people get regurgitation, which happens when food and liquid back up unexpectedly from the stomach into the esophagus and mouth.

Barrett's esophagus or esophagitis

Esophagitis is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Esophagitis can be painful and can make it hard to swallow, and can occasionally lead to more serious problems, like cancer.

Hiatal or paraesophageal hernia

A hiatal hernia (say "hi-AY-tul HER-nee-uh") happens when part of your stomach bulges up through the diaphragm and into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates your belly (abdomen) from your chest and helps you breathe.

The hernia bulges through the diaphragm at a place called the hiatus. This is the opening in the diaphragm that the esophagus passes through. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

There are three main types of hiatal hernia: sliding, paraesophageal, and mixed. Most people who have a hiatal hernia have a sliding hiatal hernia.

Achalasia
Achalasia (say "ay-kuh-LAY-zhuh") is a problem with the muscles of the lower esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquid to your stomach. These muscles are hypertrophic, or too thick, and prevent food and liquid from normally moving through the esophagus. People with this condition have a hard time swallowing, which is also called dysphagia.

Doctors aren't always sure what causes achalasia. Treatments can include dilation by endoscopy, injection of a chemical to relax the muscles, or cutting the muscle either by endoscopy or by surgery. The surgery is also known as a Heller myotomy.

Esophageal diverticulum, or Zenker’s diverticulum
A Zenker's diverticulum is a pouch or bulge that forms in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. The muscles in the tube squeeze to move food and liquid from the back of your mouth to your stomach. The pouch forms because of a weak spot in the esophagus where it joins the lower part of the throat.

Food can get caught in the pouch. This can make it hard to swallow and can cause other problems. The trapped food may get sucked into the lungs and lead to pneumonia, an infection in the lungs.

Gastroparesis
After a meal, the stomach normally empties in 1½ to 2 hours. When you have gastroparesis, your stomach takes a lot longer to empty. The delay results in bothersome symptoms that may become more severe over time.

Bezoar is a fairly rare condition related to gastroparesis. In this condition, food stays in the stomach for a long time and forms a hard lump. This causes food to get stuck in the stomach.

Esophageal dysmotility
Esophageal dysmotility (esophageal motility disorders) is when your esophagus doesn’t move food and liquid to your stomach like it should. Symptoms include chest pain, heartburn and trouble swallowing food and fluid. It is often diagnosed using manometry, which is when you have a catheter inserted through your nose into your esophagus to test your swallowing. 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/esophageal-dysmotility

Pyloric stenosis

The pylorus is the connection between the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Pyloric stenosis is a condition in which the pylorus gradually swells and thickens. This interferes with food entering the intestine and causes a perso to vomit most or all of his or her food.

To treat pyloric stenosis, a surgeon widens the channel between the stomach and the intestine. 

Gastric GIST
GISTs are cancerous tumors that develop in the walls of your gastrointestinal tract in your digestive system. They’re a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Some gastrointestinal stromal tumors are small, about the size of a pencil eraser, and you might not notice them. But they can also grow large enough to cause symptoms and medical issues. Healthcare providers treat GISTs with surgery to remove the tumors. 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17031-gist-cancer-information

Esophageal or gastric cancer
Esophageal cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. People who regularly use tobacco and drink alcohol have a higher risk for this form of cancer.

Symptoms include difficulty swallowing and weight loss. Also, hoarseness, chest or back pain, or coughing when swallowing may occur. The person may spit up or vomit bloody mucus.

Treatment may include any combination of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. It may also include immunotherapy or targeted therapy.

When you’re ready to seek relief for your symptomatic heartburn and related conditions, connect with our specialists today.

Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Ignite Healthwise, LLC. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.