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Risk Factors for Erosive Esophagitis
Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Risk Factors for GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a common disorder with a high incidence rate in adults of 10 to 38%. Diagnosis and treatment of GERD are important because the disease, in addition to the problematic typical symptoms, has numerous known consequences. GERD can affect a patients' quality of life, decrease functional activity, and increase the risk of esophageal carcinoma. (Read more about Risk Factors for Erosive Esophagitis)
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What Is a Peptic Ulcer?
Peptic Ulcer Disease
One out of eight people in the United States will be diagnosed with Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) over the course of their lifetimes. As with many diseases are understanding of the issues and causes of the disease have been evolving in recent years creating the opportunities for more innovative and effective treatments.
What are the Causes Peptic Ulcers?
A Peptic Ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach or intestine. In many ways it is similar to a sore in the mouth. When the ulcer occurs in the stomach it is called a "gastric ulcer". When it occurs in the duodenum it is called a "duodenal ulcer." (Read more about What Is a Peptic Ulcer?)
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Beth Israel Medical Center - Dr. Elliot Goodman a Bariartic Surgeon
Video interview Dr. Elliot Goodman who discusses bariatric surgery, procedure options, risk factors, important things for patients to know, and frequently asked questions. (Read more about Beth Israel Medical Center - Dr. Elliot Goodman a Bariartic Surgeon)
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Crohn's Disease and Cow's Milk
Crohn's disease is a condition associated with chronic intestinal inflammation that causes pain, bleeding, and diarrhea, affecting 400,000 to 600,000 people in North America. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that a bacteria present in cow's milk called Mycobacterium paratubuerculosis releases a molecule that prevents a type of white blood cell from killing E.coli bacteria found in the body. E.coli is known to be present in increased numbers within tissue affected by Crohn's disease. It is believed that Mycobacteria are introduced into the body via cows' milk and other dairy products. Until recently, it has been unclear how this bacterium could trigger intestinal inflammation in humans. (Read more about Crohn's Disease and Cow's Milk)
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What is Barrett's Esophagus?
Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's esophagus (sometimes called Barrett's syndrome, CELLO, columnar epithelium lined lower (o)esophagus or colloquially as Barrett's) refers to an abnormal change (metaplasia) in the cells of the lower end of the esophagus thought to be caused by damage from chronic acid exposure, or reflux esophagitis.[1] Barrett's esophagus is found in about 10% of patients who seek medical care for heartburn (gastroesophageal reflux). It is considered to be a premalignant condition and is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.[2]
The condition is named after Dr. Norman Barrett, Australian-born British surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital, who described the condition in 1957.[3] (Read more about What is Barrett's Esophagus?)
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What is Gastroenterology?
Video: Dr. Jonathan Cohen of the Concorde Medical Group discusses Gastroenterology.
Gastroenterology is a specialized field of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract - from the mouth to the anus. Gastroenterolgy studies the functioning and disorders of the esophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as its associated organs such as the liver, pancreas and gall bladder.
There is documented evidence that some forms of Gastroenterolgy were practiced in ancient Egypt. Greek, Roman and Arab practitioners studied the digestive tracts of the human body with specially designed spatula and mirrors illuminated by candles or oil lamps. More complex tools for examining the rectum with dilating specula were found in the ruins of Pompeii. (Read more about What is Gastroenterology?)
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Electroacupuncture May Improve GERD Symptoms
A recent Chinese study reported in an issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology has found that electroacupuncture at the Pericardium Meridian Point 6 (or PC6) may decrease the frequency of symptoms behind GERD. The researchers found elctroacupuncture to decrease the GERD inducing transient lower sphincter relaxation function (or TLESR) in cats. This effect appeared to act at the brain stem, and may be mediated through nitric oxide and mu-opioid receptors. (Read more about Electroacupuncture May Improve GERD Symptoms)
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Bariatric Surgery Found to Lower Risk of Death
Obesity is on the rise, and so are associated health risks like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea. Although once believed to be a risky and rare procedure, bariatric surgery is becoming a prevalent option for people who suffer from morbid obesity. Over 175,000 patients underwent bariatric surgery last year and the number is expected to grow this year. Although there are risks in undergoing these procedures, the surgery death rate has fallen over the years as the technique becomes more sophisticated and less invasive. (Read more about Bariatric Surgery Found to Lower Risk of Death)
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Obesity May Be Contagious
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, if someone in a social network becomes obese, those closely connected to them have a greater propensity for becoming obese as well. The strongest demonstration of this effect occurs among friends, not within a family or among those sharing a household. There was no apparent consideration of groups of otherwise strangers who come together in organized settings for the purpose of weight loss. With some diet programs, social support has been shown to be beneficial. (Read more about Obesity May Be Contagious)
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Obesity Rates Expected to Soar in the US
Obesity is still on the rise. A new study released by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that by 2015, 75% of adults will be overweight, 41% will be obese. The study was a meta-analysis (comprehensive overview) of 20 different journal papers, reports, online data sets, and 4 different national surveys from 1960-2004. The study found that the obesity rate between those years had risen from 13% to 32%.
The lead author of the study, Youfa Wang MD, PhD called obesity a public health crisis, and said, "The obesity rate in the United States has increased at an alarming rate over the past three decades. We set out to estimate the average annual increase in prevalence as well as the variation between population groups to predict the future situation regarding obesity and overweight among U.S. adults and children." (Read more about Obesity Rates Expected to Soar in the US)
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