Gastroenterology - February 2013 Archives

  "INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (ULCERATIVE COLITIS/CROHN'S DISEASE) IS CAUSED BY PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS." This Saturday Dr. William Faubion and Dr. Joseph Murray will discuss their research regarding gastroenterological issues that afflict ...

A bracelet-like device with magnetic beads can control the chronic digestive disorder gastroesophageal reflux disease. The device encircles the valve at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, ...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Current national guidelines provide benchmarks regarding the number of polyps physicians should detect, on average, during a colonoscopy. Recent studies at Mayo ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Until recently I’d never experienced heartburn, but now I seem to have it at least twice a week. I would like to avoid taking over-the-counter medications. Is it possible to prevent heartburn by avoiding certain foods? ANSWER: Heartburn, or acid reflux, happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. It is a common problem. About 40 percent of people in the United States have some symptoms of heartburn, which is usually described as a burning pain in the chest after eating.   Treatment of heartburn depends on two issues. First, how much the symptoms bother you, and second, whether these symptoms signal an underlying esophageal injury that is happening because of the reflux. These can be two different issues, as the intensity of heartburn does not necessarily correspond to esophageal injury. In fact, people with severe esophageal injuries — such as esophagitis, where tissue in the esophagus becomes inflamed, or Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition — often have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.