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Heart Burn/Erosive Esophagitis/IBS/Diverticulitis
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What is Heart Burn?
Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.
Occasional heartburn is common and no cause for alarm. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and nonprescription medications.
Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical care.
Source: Mayo Clinic Website May 13, 2022 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223
What is Erosive Esophagitis?
What is esophagitis?
Esophagitis is inflammation in your esophagus, the swallowing tube that runs from your throat down to your stomach. It may feel sore, swollen, raw or burning. Inflammation in your tissues occurs when your immune system has been activated to destroy an infection or allergen or to repair tissue damage. Erosive substances, such as stomach acid and certain medications, can injure your esophagus tissues.
How common is esophagitis?
Chronic acid reflux (GERD) is a common cause of esophagitis. Other types of esophagitis are relatively rare. Esophageal infections are uncommon, except in people who have compromised immune systems.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of esophagitis?
Esophagitis may feel like:
- ●A sore throat
- ●Heartburn
- ●Difficulty swallowing
- ●Chest pain
The pain may be mild to severe and may be constant or come and go.
Depending on the cause and the severity, you might also notice:
- ●Acid reflux
- ●Regurgitations
- ●Food getting stuck in your throat
- ●Indigestion
- ●Feeding difficulties in children
- ●Nausea and vomiting
- ●Blood in your vomit
- ●Mouth sores
What causes esophagitis?
Your esophagus tissues might become inflamed if your immune system has been activated to fight an infection, if you’re having an allergic reaction or if something corrosive has injured the tissues.
Causes include:
- ●Acid reflux
- ●Medications
- ●Infections
- ●Allergies
- ●Radiation
- ●Autoimmune disease
Source: Cleveland Clinic Website May 12, 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10138-esophagitis
What is IBS?
Overview
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you’ll need to manage long term.
Only a small number of people with IBS have severe symptoms. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. More-severe symptoms can be treated with medication and counseling.
IBS doesn’t cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms of IBS vary but are usually present for a long time. The most common include:
- ●Abdominal pain, cramping or bloating that is related to passing a bowel movement
- ●Changes in appearance of bowel movement
- ●Changes in how often you are having a bowel movement
Other symptoms that are often related include sensation of incomplete evacuation and increased gas or mucus in the stool.
Source: Mayo Clinic Website May 12, 2023 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016#:~:text=Irritable%20bowel%20syndrome%20(IBS)%20is,need%20to%20manage%20long%20term.
What is Diverticulitis?
What is diverticulitis?
Diverticulitis is inflammation in your diverticula, which are small pockets that can develop on the inside of your colon. Having diverticula is called diverticulosis. It’s common as you get older, and most people never have any problems with it. But if one of your diverticula becomes inflamed, it can cause acute pain and other symptoms. It might mean that it has an infection, which needs medical attention.
How common is diverticulitis?
Although diverticulosis is common, diverticulitis is an uncommon complication. It affects about 4% of people with diverticulosis. Once you’ve had it, you have a 20% chance of getting it again.
What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?
Symptoms may include:
- ●Abdominal pain, often severe
- ●Distended abdomen or palpable colon (you can feel it with your hand)
- ●Fever
- ●Nausea and vomiting
- ●Rectal bleeding
- ●Constipation or, less commonly, diarrhea
What does a diverticulitis attack or flare-up feel like?
Whether you’re having an acute diverticulitis attack or a flare-up of chronic diverticulitis, the pain will be similar. An acute attack may come on more suddenly, while a chronic flare-up may build up over a few days. You should be able to locate it in the precise spot where your diverticulum has become inflamed. It may feel sharp and penetrating or have a burning quality. The pain is usually moderate to severe.
Source: Cleveland Clinic Website April 10, 2023 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10352-diverticulitis
