What is Odynophagia? Odynophagia is the medical term for pain when swallowing. The pain may stem from the mouth, throat (pharynx) or esophagus (gullet). At times, odynophagia may also be related to pathology within the larynx. The mechanism of swallowing is both voluntary and involuntary and starts in the throat and >> Read More ...
Swallowing is a process of moving food and drink from the mouth to the stomach. It is composed of three phases that starts in the throat and extends down to the esophagus. Swallowing is partly voluntary but mainly an involuntary reflex that comprises a well coordinated sequence of events to complete its function. The >> Read More ...
Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into simpler substances so that it can be absorbed by the alimentary tract. It is both a mechanical and chemical process that starts from the time food enters the mouth. Problems with digestion (maldigestion) may arise in any part of the alimentary tract. A disruption >> Read More ...
What is swallowing? The intake of food (ingestion) involves two mechanical processes. First the food is chewed (mastication) and then it is swallowed (deglutition). Once food enters the pharynx, the other processes like motility, digestion and absorption is involuntary. Swallowing is therefore the process of passing food >> Read More ...
Meaning of Feeling Nauseous Nausea or feeling nauseous are terms used to describe the unpleasant sensation of wanting to vomit. It usually precedes vomiting but may occur on its own without any vomiting. Nausea is said to be the conscious perception of a subconscious process that leads to vomiting. As is explained under >> Read More ...
There are a number of pathogenic microorganisms that can affect the stomach and the infection usually extends to neighboring structures, namely the esophagus proximally and duodenum distally. Stomach infections can broadly cause two common conditions – gastritis and gastroenteritis. At times, toxins from infectious >> Read More ...
Infectious diseases involving the stomach, and often extending to neighboring sections of the alimentary tract (esophagus and small intestine), may be caused by a number of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and other parasites. Viral infections may cause gastroenteritis (frequent) or gastritis (rare). The term >> Read More ...
Stomach acid is the collection of gastric secretions secreted by the lining of the stomach and contained with the stomach cavity. It is a combination of hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsin and intrinsic factor and due to the presence of HCl, the overall pH of the solution is low meaning that it is acidic. The stomach secretes >> Read More ...
Drugs that reduce the pH and/or volume of gastric acid are used for the treatment of hyperacidity conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The most commonly used drugs available for this are : Antacids Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) H2-receptor blockers Other drugs that may >> Read More ...
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used these days in the treatment of gastritis, second only to antacids. PPIs are very effective in reducing gastric acid secretion. Up until PPIs became available, H2-receptor blockers, commonly known as H2-blockers, were the drug of choice in suppressing acid secretion and reducing >> Read More ...
