Achalasia

Heartburn
Heartburn is a symptom that rarely has anything to do with your heart. It occurs when you feel a burning sensation in your chest that is often accompanied by a bitter taste in your throat or mouth. Symptoms of heartburn may get worse after you eat  More »
HLCMS

Chest Pain
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chest pain is one of the most common reasons that people ages 15 and older visit the emergency room. In 2008, about nine percent of all ER visits were related to chest pain. (More »
HLCMS

Unintentional Weight Loss
Unintentional weight loss is the process of losing weight without dieting or increasing physical activity. It may occur following a loss of appetite or when you are consuming the same amount of calories as usual. Either way, it is usually cause fo  More »
HLCMS

Swallowing Problem
Dysphagia is a disorder of swallowing.  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health

Pain
Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders

Parasitic Diseases
Parasites are organisms that live inside humans or other organisms who act as hosts. They are dependent on their hosts because they are unable to produce food or energy for themselves. Parasites are harmful to humans because they consume needed fo...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine

History and Physical Exam
The health status of populations and of individuals is assessed for many reasons. Assessing needs for care helps guide the allocation of resources— diagnostic assessments guide treatment, prognostic assessments contribute to planning, and assessin...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health

Esophageal Manometry
Your esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Each time you swallow the muscles in your esophagus contract. This pushes the food you eat into your stomach.A valve at the bottom of your esophagus called the lower esophage  More »
HLCMS

Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract Series
An upper GI examination is a fluoroscopic examination (a type of x-ray imaging) of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine (duodenum).  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Esophagoscopy
An endoscope as used in the field of gastroenterology (the medical study of the stomach and intestines) is a thin, flexible tube that uses a lens or miniature camera to view various areas of the gastrointestinal tract. When the procedure is limite...  More »
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine

Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a procedure that uses specialized tools to view and operate on the internal organs and vessels of your body. This allows surgeons to view problems within your body without having to make large incisions. A surgeon inserts an endosc  More »
HLCMS

Nitroglycerin
NITROGLYCERIN (nye troe GLI ser in) is a type of vasodilator. It relaxes blood vessels, increasing the blood and oxygen supply to your heart. This medicine is used to relieve chest pain caused by angina. It is also used to prevent chest pain befor...  More »
GOLD

Verapamil
VERAPAMIL (ver AP a mil) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This relaxes your blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. This medicine is used to treat ...  More »
GOLD

Isosorbide dinitrate
ISOSORBIDE DINITRATE (eye soe SOR bide dye NYE trate) is a type of vasodilator. It relaxes blood vessels, increasing the blood and oxygen supply to your heart. This medicine is used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. It will not help to stop ...  More »
GOLD

Botulinum toxin type A
ONABOTULINUMTOXINA is a neuro-muscular blocker. It is used to treat moderate to severe frown lines on the face.  More »
GOLD

GERD
Acid reflux disease or GERD is a chronic digestive disease with symptoms of esophogeal burning & heartburn. GERD can be managed thru medication & lifestyle changes.  More »
HLCMS

Esophageal Perforation
Esophageal perforation is a hole in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that food and liquids pass through on the way from your mouth to your stomach. Perforation of the esophagus is uncommon, but it is a serious medical condition. An esophag  More »
HLCMS

Aspiration Pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is an inflammation of your lungs and bronchial tubes. It happens after you inhale foreign matter. It is also known as anaerobic pneumonia. This condition is caused by inhaling materials such as vomit, food, or liquid. This  More »
HLCMS