Esophageal Disorders and Diseases
What is the esophagus?
The esophagus is the “conveyor belt” of the upper GI tract, beginning right below the tongue and extending for about a foot (or 20 cm) from the lower neck to right below the bottom of the sternum (breast bone). This is composed of skeletal muscle (that a patient can control/”voluntary muscle”) and involuntary smooth muscle.
What are the symptoms of esophageal disease?
Symptoms of esophageal disease primarily relate to abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism. These symptoms include pain or difficulty with swallowing, or in severe cases, the inability to swallow. Associated symptoms can involve neighboring organs, such as the lungs, and some swallowing disorders can lead to a chronic cough, worsening of asthma, or even recurrent pneumonia. Esophageal disease include specific types like achalasia, esophageal motility disorders, nutcracker esophagus, jackhammer esophagus, esophageal strictures or stenoses, GERD/acid reflux and esophageal cancer.
How are esophageal disorders diagnosed?
A careful history and physical exam are important parts to the diagnosis of esophageal disease. Imaging, including CT and barium swallow tests, are helpful, but the mainstay of esophageal evaluation is an upper endoscopy (EGD). This test lets your GI physician visualize, biopsy and even treat/dilate different esophageal diseases. We also utilize esophageal motility testing, a test called an esophageal manometry (or high resolution esophageal manometry), as well as pH testing.
How are esophageal disorders treated?
Treatment for esophageal disease is tailored to each patient, with the goal of choosing therapy that best matches each individual’s disease pattern and severity. Your GI team will likely utilize a combination of medications, endoscopic therapies and even the assistance of speech therapists/pathologists for most esophageal disorders and diseases. For severe cases, surgical therapy can be indicated.
Our experienced team of physicians and advanced practice providers at Associates in Gastroenterology can help you with your concerns, questions and management of all aspects of gastrointestinal and liver disease. We would love to be your gastroenterology practice. Please schedule an appointment either by calling us (719-635-7321) or by clicking here.
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Locations
North Location
6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923
Central Location
2940 N. Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – Audubon Medical Campus
2940 North Circle Drive
Colorado Springs, CO, 80909
Endoscopy Centers of Colorado Springs – St Francis Medical Campus
6031 E Woodmen Rd #100
Colorado Springs, CO, 80923