Category Archives: Health Care

GERD Specialist in Hyderabad | Best Doctor for Acid Reflux in Hyderabad

When stomach content moves into the esophagus (flow backward), the condition is known as Gastroesophageal efflux disease (GERD). It is a common condition that most often becomes frequent and causes severe symptoms, inflammation, irritation, and injury to the esophagus. Chronic and untreated acid reflux may damage the esophagus, pharynx, or respiratory tract. There are several other names for this condition – such as Heartburn, acid regurgitation, acid reflux, and acid indigestion. If you have this condition, you must see a GERD specialist in Hyderabad – A gastroenterologist or a surgical gastroenterologist for GERD Surgery or Laparoscopic Nissen’s Fundoplication for GERD.

Signs and Symptoms of GERD

• Heartburn is the most common symptom
• Mild heartburn may occur twice a week (mild GERD)
• Moderate to Severe GERD – symptoms may manifest more than twice a week
• Severe GERD is associated with inflammation in the esophagus
• A burning and painful sensation in the middle of the chest
• Bad breath
• Swallowing difficulty
• Regurgitation of the stomach content
• Chest pain
• Irritated feeling in the esophagus and sore throat

GERD Diagnosis

A gastroenterologist begins the diagnosis of GERD with a comprehensive physical examination by taking into consideration the medical history and symptoms of the patient. If a person is presented with the typical symptoms of GERD – such as regurgitation and heartburn then the doctor diagnoses the cause as GERD without further referring any additional tests.

The gastroenterologist may recommend tests if the GERD specialist suspects esophageal damage due to atypical symptoms and severity of the reflux. If the symptoms do not respond to initial treatment, the surgical gastroenterologist may consider anti-reflux surgery.

The diagnostic tests for GERD include the following:

• Reflux testing (wireless pH/pH impedance)
• Upper endoscopy
• Barium esophagram
• Esophageal manometry [esophageal motility (movement) studies]

Complications Associated with GERD

• Esophagitis
• Esophageal ulcer
• Esophageal Strictures
• Barrett’s Esophagus
• Esophageal cancer

Causes and Risk Factors of GERD

The lower esophageal sphincter ensures that the acid remains intact in the stomach. It is a ring of muscles that helps keep the top portion of the stomach closed, but the following factors cause the sphincter to relax:

• Eating a heavy, greasy (oily), and large meal
• Eating soon before going to bed
• Lying flat soon after eating
• Eating spicy or fried foods – onions, cabbage, citrus fruits
• Consuming carbonated beverages and alcohol
• Belching
• Eating certain foods such as peppermint, chocolate, and high-fat foods.
• Increased abdominal pressure due to obesity or overweight or during pregnancy in women
• Inhaling second-hand smoke or smoking
• Usage of certain medications such as painkillers, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, asthma, and antidepressants.

Hiatal hernia can cause the opening of the diaphragm through which the upper part of the stomach moves up. When this happens the pressure in the esophageal sphincter lowers and acid reflux occurs.

GERD Treatment in Hyderabad

To manage and relieve symptoms of GERD, your doctor might encourage you to make certain lifestyle changes, like:

One should make changes in their lifestyle to manage and get rid of GERD symptoms. A GERD Specialist in Hyderabad may recommend and encourage us to make the following lifestyle changes:

• Weight management (reducing weight if applicable)
• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding carbonated and acidic beverages
• Avoiding heavy and big meals in the evening
• Raising the head of the bed by around 8 to 10 inches
• Elevating the head during sleep
• maintaining a moderate weight, if applicable
• waiting a few hours after eating to lie down

Treatment also includes prescription and other medicines such as antacids, H2 receptors blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.

Bottom Line

Acid reflux can become problematic as it interferes with daily living. A majority of people can get relief from acid reflux through home remedies, lifestyle changes, and medical treatment. In some cases, surgery is recommended when lifestyle changes, medicines, and home-based treatment have not stopped the symptoms. A surgical gastroenterologist or a GERD specialist in Hyderabad will recommend surgery if a person develops complications associated with GERD. Fundoplication is the recommended option.

Read more about “Laparoscopic Nissens fundoplication for GERD”

A viral or bacterial infection causes gastroenteritis. It is the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines. When you have this condition, you will have vomiting and diarrhoea. Commonly, many people call it as a stomach flu. These symptoms are often due to gastroenteritis.

What are the symptoms of Gastroenteritis?

The signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include the following:

• Stomach pain
• Watery diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever, nausea and headache
• Diarrhea may lead to dehydration

The signs of dehydration include the following:

• Dry mouth
• Excessive thirst
• Dry skin
• Light-headedness

Seek medical help immediately if you have the above symptoms with watery diarrhea and vomiting.

Note: Dehydration should be treated in emergency room. The following symptoms warrant seeking emergency medical care immediately to prevent potential complications due to severe dehydration:

• Dry mouth
• Lack of tears
• Extreme thirst
• Little or no urination
• Muscle weakness
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Lack of alertness
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sunkun eyes

Stomach Flu in children

Dehydration occurs quickly in children. Therefore, when your child has stomach flu with watery diarrhea and vomiting and abdominal cramps, look for the signs. The child’s skin becomes dry, urine output becomes less and mouth becomes dry and also feel thirsty. Don’t send your child to school until all symptoms disappear. Don’t give any medicines to your child – such drugs are not usually given to children younger than 5 years.

What causes gastroenteritis?

Rotavirus causes diarrhea in infants and children. Norovirus also causes serious foodborne disease and gastroenteritis.

Bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli can also trigger stomach flu – but less commonly. These bacteria spread through live poultry, undercooked eggs and meat.

Contaminated food and drinking water spread another bacteria called shigella that causes gastroenteritis.

The less common cause of gastroenteritis is parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium. You may get infected with them through contaminated drinking water.

When to call a doctor?

If you can’t walk, faint, confused or having trouble breathing due to severe dehydration, immediately call emergency department.

You should also see your doctor if you develop sudden and severe abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhea.

ESOPHAGEAL CACNER – The sixth most common cause of deaths worldwide.

Esophagus is a long hollow tube that helps in moving the food. It runs from the throat to the stomach. A cancer that develops in the cells of the oesophagus is known as esophageal cancer.

The cancer develops usually in the cells that line the inside of the esophagus.

Risk factors for esophageal cancer

Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption; smoking, GERD, Barrett’s esophagus, bad dietary habits and obesity.

Learn more about GERD…

What are the symptoms of Esophageal Cancer?

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer:

• Swallowing difficulty (Dysphagia)
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness or coughing
• Worsening heartburn or indigestion
• Pressure or burning sensation in the chest
• Chest pain
• Unexplained weight loss

What are the causes of Esophageal cancer?

There is no exact cause of esophageal cancer. A group of factors may play a role in the development of cancer. The cells in the lining of the oesophagus undergo mutations (changes in the gene sequence) in their DNA. When this happens, the cells grow and divide out of control and develop into esophageal cancer. Adenocarcinoma (cancer develops in the mucus-secreting cells of the esophagus) and squamous cell carcinoma are the common types of esophageal cancer. Choricarcinoma, melanoma, lymphoma, sarcoma and small cell carcinoma are some of the rare forms of esophageal cancer.

What are the complications?

In the advanced stages, esophageal cancer can cause pain (severe pain in the esophagus with swallowing difficulty). It can also lead to bleeding in the esophagus – which is mild to moderate in the beginning. The bleeding can become sudden and severe as well. Many people experience difficulty in swallowing food and liquid through the esophagus.

How is esophageal cancer diagnosed?

Diagnosis of esophageal cancer: It is based on the medical examination, reviewing symptoms, and medical history of the patient. In addition, a surgical gastroenterologist may also order certain blood and imaging tests including endoscopy, barium swallow X-ray; CT and PET scans, thoracoscopy and biopsy. These tests help in determining the extent of spread (metastasis) of esophageal cancer outside the esophagus.

Bottom line

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cancer in the world. In the early stages, it doesn’t cause any signs and symptoms. Advanced stages esophageal cancer can spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Early detection of esophageal cancer helps in effective treatment.

Abdominal pain is a very common condition that everybody encounters at one time or another. It is usually an uncomfortable or disturbing sensations that one experiences in the abdominal region.

Abdominal pain can be sometimes not be the reason to worry because it occurs mostly as a common problem. If you see a specialist doctor, he or she can easily diagnose the cause and give treatment. Persistent, intermittent or episodic abdominal pain and sometimes chronic pain can be a sign of serious underlying health issue that needs prompt and immediate medical help.

Types of abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can be of different types depending on the intensity, severity and timing of pain and the manner in which it starts, progresses and how long it lasts.

Acute abdominal pain: It starts within a few hours and may persists for a few days and may be associated with other symptoms.

Chronic abdominal pain can be troublesome as it may last for a few weeks to months and may be intermittent.

Progressive abdominal pain can be severe, and may get worse over a period of time and is often associated with other symptoms.

Causes of Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain can be due to several reason whether it is mild, moderate or severe and the causes may differ in men and women. In general, irrespective of gender, abdominal pain can be mostly due to mild to severe infection, food poisoning, stomach virus, abdominal migraine or indigestion or constipation. For instance, a woman can have abdominal pain due to gynaecological issues such as uterine problems, uterine fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, menstrual issues, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps or may be due to serious health issues such as ovarian or cervical cancer.

The other possible causes of abdominal pain may include gas, food allergies, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, urinary tract infection, abdominal muscle pull or strain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). You may get abdominal pain if you have ulcers or if you are lactose intolerant.

Are there any other causes of abdominal pain?

Yes, there are many other causes of abdominal pain. Inflammation of the gallbladder (Cholecystitis); inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis); bowel obstruction or blockage; abdominal aortic aneurysm (swelling in the abdominal main artery); diverticulitis; appendicitis; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); endometriosis; kidney stones; Gallstones; hernia; blocked blood vessel that causes low blood flow to the intestines; ovarian cysts or ovarian cancer in women and also ectopic pregnancy in women.

When should you consult your gastroenterologist for stomach pain?

You should consult your gastroenterologist as early as possible if you have fever and vomiting; if you feel very thirsty; have dark-coloured urine and you can’t have bowel movement.

You must seek immediate medical help or treatment as soon as possible or take medical care right away if you have severe abdominal pain associated with the following symptoms: swelling in the belly; constant vomiting; trouble breathing; black, bloody and tarry bowel movements; have yellow skin and have unexplained weight loss.