Your esophagus is the piece of your digestive system that connects your throat with your stomach, moving food and liquid through it. This system would not be complete without one crucial feature: the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). But what is the LES, and how can it make a difference in your everyday quality of life? Let’s find out.
Read MoreIf you’ve recently been diagnosed with GERD, achalasia, chronic acid reflux, or another related disorder, you may be hearing a flurry of terms that you’re unfamiliar with. Today we’re going over the very basics esophagus function and terminology so that the next time you talk to your reflux specialist, you’ll know a bit more about how this integral part of your digestive system is supposed to work in the first place.
Read MoreSeptember is Achalasia Awareness Month, which aims to bring awareness and understanding to the rare, incurable disease. Achalasia Awareness Month was started by the Achalasia Awareness Organization as a grassroots effort to educate and motivate the public around the disease. Below, we discuss how to bring awareness to Achalasia both in September and year-round.
Read MoreThe term “dysphagia” is a medical term used to describe difficulty swallowing. It encompasses both severe and mild swallowing difficulties, and can range in severity from patients who experience difficulty trying to swallow certain types of foods to patients who are unable to swallow anything at all. Learn more about what causes dysphagia, common dysphagia symptoms, and how to treat dysphagia:
Read MoreGastroesophageal Reflux Disease, more commonly referred to as GERD, is a chronic digestive disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter (that ring of muscle between your esophagus and your stomach). In patients with GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter is either weaker, shorter, or has moved into a location that is other than normal. This causes it to relax inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow back up into the esophagus and causing gastroesophageal reflux.
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