<\/button>\n \nGERD, Barrett’s Esophagus, Esophageal Cancer, Hiatal Hernia, and Achalasia<\/h2>\n Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD<\/strong>) is a common chronic disease where the acid from the stomach comes back up into the esophagus. The anatomical barriers that keep stomach acid from flowing upward are the lower esophageal sphincter and the diaphragm. Symptoms include heartburn (acid indigestion), chest pain, regurgitation, and hoarseness.<\/p>\nA Hiatal Hernia<\/strong> is an opening of the diaphragm that allows part of the stomach to slide into the chest. Another name for hiatal hernia is a paraesophageal hernia. A hiatal hernia can contribute to or worsen symptoms of GERD. A hiatal hernia can be seen on an endoscopy, X-rays, and CT scans among other studies. Hiatal hernias can allow abdominal organs to go up into the chest and sometimes cause damage to organs. The risks and benefits of a hiatal hernia repair should be discussed with your doctor.<\/p>\nWhen GERD constantly irritates the esophagus, it can damage the lining of the esophagus and result in Barrett\u2019s esophagus<\/strong>, a precancerous condition. About 8% of people with GERD go on to develop Barrett\u2019s esophagus.<\/span><\/p>\nEsophageal cancer<\/strong> accounts for 3% of cancer deaths in the U.S. Symptoms of esophageal cancer include difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, chest pain, worsening GERD, cough, or weight loss.\u00a0 Risk factors include GERD, Barrett\u2019s esophagus, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. There are two primary types of esophageal cancer \u2013adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma involves the upper and mid esophagus and is the most common esophageal cancer worldwide.\u00a0 Adenocarcinoma involves the lower esophagus and is the most common type in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\nAchalasia<\/strong> is a rare disease of the esophagus where people have difficulty swallowing because the muscles of the esophagus fail to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach. It is believed to be caused by a malfunction of the nerves in the esophagus.<\/span><\/p>\nBoth GERD and Achalasia are related to a malfunction of the esophageal sphincters.<\/span><\/p>\n \n \n
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5.0<\/span> \u2605 \u2605 \u2605 \u2605 \u2605<\/span>\n staff at this office is amazing!<\/span>\n Dr. Donaire and the staff at this office is amazing! I just had surgery on June 2nd and with listening to all instructions I am already down 10lbs. Dr. Donaire answers all questions and concerns with no hesitation. Thank you so much and I can\u2019t wait to see my journey!<\/p>\n Kiarrie G.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \nDiagnosis<\/h2>\nBarium Swallow<\/h3>\n A barium swallow is a test where x-rays of the esophagus are taken while the patient swallows a solution called barium. Esophageal contractions and the lower sphincter are visible in real-time. With Achalasia the normal contractions are missing, and the esophagus is enlarged above a narrowing at the lower sphincter.<\/span><\/p>\nEndoscopy<\/h3>\n Endoscopy is a test that allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of the esophagus, the stomach, and the first portion of the small intestine. Endoscopy is performed using a thin flexible tube with a small light and camera on the end.<\/span><\/p>\nCT Scan<\/h3>\n This test uses<\/span> X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body. <\/span>It can <\/span>detect hiatal hernias<\/span> and<\/span> cancer among other esophageal disorders.<\/span><\/p>\nManometry and pH Testing<\/h3>\n Manometry and pH testing may be necessary for diagnosing certain esophageal disorders. pH testing measures the acid levels in the esophagus while manometry measures the movement and pressures in the esophagus.<\/p>\n
Treatment<\/h2>\n Treatment may involve a change in diet, medication, surgery, and <\/span>ablation<\/span> treatments. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are used to treat cancer. At Advanced Surgical and Bariatrics of NJ, our team of elite surgeons is knowledgeable, attentive, and thorough, as well as kind, compassionate, and professional. You will receive a comprehensive evaluation and a personalized treatment plan.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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Esophagus Function The esophagus is the tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth into the stomach. The wall of the esophagus is composed of layers of muscle that propel food to the stomach by rhythmic waves of contractions called peristalsis. There are muscle rings at each end of the esophagus, – called sphincters. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":27399,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23782"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23782"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28192,"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23782\/revisions\/28192"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bariatricsurgerynewjersey.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}