ABDOMINAL PAIN/DYSPEPSIA

The patient with Barrett’s esophagus present with signs and symptoms almost similar to those in GERD. These include:

• Frequent heartburn or dyspepsia

• Difficulty in swallowing food

• Chest pain might occur in some cases but is less frequent

• Blood in vomit or coffee-ground vomit

• In rare cases, Passage of black tarry stools

The area between our chest and pelvis is called abdomen and any discomfort or pain in this area is called abdominal pain. Many important organs reside in our abdomen including stomach, liver, gall bladder kidney, pancreas, spleen, appendix and intestines. The pain originating in any of these organs is felt as abdominal pain. The pain varies in its location and characteristics. It might be persistent or intermittent.

Dyspepsia is the feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen and is due to stomach problems.

If left untreated, Celiac Disease can lead to following complications due to malabsorption of nutrients:

• Development of Type I diabetes

• Dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash)

• Anemia

• Osteoporosis

• Infertility and miscarriage

• Neurological conditions like migraines and epilepsy

• Short stature

• Intestinal cancers

H. Pylori infection is caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori. It specifically infects the stomach and is a common cause of pyloric ulcers. The infection goes unnoticed in many people because they never fall seriously ill from it. It often occurs in children but can also occur in any age group. If left untreated it can cause following complications:

• Ulcer

• Inflammation of the lining of stomach

• Stomach cancer/MALT Lymphoma

• Obstruction

• Perforation

• Peritonitis

Dry, hard stools which are difficult to pass are characteristic of constipation. In constipated patients, bowel movements reduce to less than three times per week. This means that you pass stools very less often than normal.

Acute constipation resolves easily whereas chronic constipation might lead to following complications:

• Anal fissures

• Hemorrhoids

• Rectal prolapse

• Fecal impaction

The Bravo pH monitor is meant to really answer the question—“Do I have relux or something else? Should I be on this PPI?”

A small capsule, about the size of a gel cap, is temporarily attached to the wall of the esophagus during an upper endoscopy. The capsule measures pH levels in the esophagus and transmits readings by radio telecommunications to a receiver (about the size of a pager) worn on your belt or waistband. The receiver has several buttons on it that you will press to record symptoms of GERD such as heartburn (the nurse will tell you what symptoms to record). You will be asked to maintain a diary to record certain events such as when you start and stop eating and drinking, when you lie down, and when you get back up. This will be explained by the nurse.

If you are passing loose watery stools three times a day or more, then you have diarrhea. Diarrhea can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea resolves on its own after 2-3 days whereas chronic diarrhea continues for weeks and need proper medical attention.

Endoscopy is a procedure done for the examination of a person’s gastrointestinal tract {GIT). It is a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by pain or abdominal discomfort associated with abnormal bowel habits. The bowel movements may decrease or increase leading to constipation or diarrhea respectively and may alternate. This is not a life-threatening condition but it does affect one’s way of living. IBS is basically a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.

IBS is sometimes referred as colitis, nervous colon, spastic colon and spastic bowel.

Hemorrhoids is a very common condition. Almost every three out of four adults experience hemorrhoids at least at one point in their life. These are dilated veins located in the walls of the rectum and lower part of anus.

GERD is a disorder of the digestive system in which the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. The sphincter lies between the lower end of the esophagus where it opens into the stomach. This causes the backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus which irritates the esophageal lining.

Most of the people try to manage the condition with over-the-counter medications. If left untreated, GERD can cause following complications:

• Barrett esophagus

• Esophageal structure

• Esophageal ulcer

The Obalon Balloon System is an FDA-approved, especially designed to promote weight loss in obese adults who have failed to show results with other traditional weight loss techniques including diet and exercise. It is a swallow able system consisting of 3 lightweight balloons which are placed in your stomach and lasts for a period of 6 months.

Rectal bleeding is also known as hematochezia. It is the passage of blood from the anus. The blood might be fresh having a bright red color, mixed with stools or in the form of clots giving the stools a dark tarry character. The tarry stools are foul smelling and difficult to flush.

Another important character apart from the color of blood is the quantity and duration of bleeding through the anus. This helps determine the severity of the condition so that prompt treatment is done.

Many patients experience no significant symptoms in the start. The types of symptoms usually depends on the site of location of cancer in colon. A patient with colon cancer can usually presents with following signs and symptoms:

• A change in your bowel habits which can cause diarrhea or constipation and lasts for more than 4 weeks

• Rectal bleeding

• Blood in your stool

• Persistent pain and discomfort in abdomen

• A feeling of incomplete evacuation if bowel

• Weakness

• fatigue

• Unexplained weight loss

Our regional director (usually an MD) ensures the accuracy of the medical language and cross-cultural adaptation throughout the project. The regional director reviews the text, determines which medical idioms should be used in the translation and addresses relevant issues.

Colonoscopy is used to examine colon and rectum and detect any abnormality there. This procedure is done commonly and is immensely helpful in identifying problems of colon and rectum such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain,history of polyps, surveillance of cancer, treatment of hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding.

Hepatitis B and C are both inflammatory conditions of liver caused by viral infection. The inflammation causes serious liver damage and increases the risks of liver failure, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Capsule endoscopy, as the name indicates, is a procedure in which endoscopy is done via a capsule. It is used to take pictures of the digestive tract, especially the 6 meter small intestine, because this area is difficult for the doctors to examine from ordinary endoscopic procedures. The conventional endoscopy is done with a flexible long tube which is passed through the throat down into the gut.

Hemorrhoids are swollen and dilated veins in the walls of lower anus and rectum. These veins are just like varicose veins. Hemorrhoids are also called piles. Hemorrhoids can be of following types:

• Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum

• External Hemorrhoids lie beneath the skin around the anus

• Thrombosed Hemorrhoids result from pooled and thrombosed blood in external hemorrhoids

Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder from bile cholesterol and bilirubin. The Gallbladder is a small sac-like organ situated below the liver and stores bile. The gallstones can block bile ducts which drain bile and cause abdominal pain. The pain due to stones is called biliary colic. They usually require surgical removal. If left untreated, stones can cause following complications:

• Acute cholecystitis

• Jaundice

• Bile duct infection (cholangitis)

• Sepsis, a blood infection

• Inflammation of pancreas

• Gallbladder cancer

Abdominal Ultrasound is basically a screening method used to examine the structures present within the abdomen including organs and abdnominal aorta. This is used by clinicians to evaluate the condition of abdominal structures and to look for any pathology like abdominal aneurysms or tuberculous masses.

The different types of colitis include the following:

• Ulcerative colitis

• Ischemic colitis

• Infectious colitis

• Microscopic colitis

• Chemical colitis

• Medication caused colitis

Colon polyps are growths, cluster of cells that form on the inner lining of colon/large intestine. Most of the polyps are non-neoplastic and are not harmful but some of them might cause colon cancer over time and are called neoplastic polyps. ABOUT 1 IN 3 INDIVIDUALS HAVE POLYPS. Therefore, colon polyps require POLYPECTOMY.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease which involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms might be ignored initially but, if left untreated, it can cause following complications:

• Bowel obstruction

• Ulcers

• Anal fistula

• Anal fissures

• Malnutrition

Dyspepsia, otherwise known as “indigestion” or “sour stomach” generally affects the upper GI tract. It has associated symptoms of belching and bloating. Functional dyspepsia, a fairly common condition in about 1in every 4 individuals, is a term that is used to describe a condtion derived from the foods that you eat.

In capsule endoscopy, a patient is asked to swallow a capsule which is size of a vitamin pill. The capsule contains a tiny, wireless camera. As the capsule passes through the digestive tract of the patient and takes pictures of it. The pictures are then transmitted to a recorder which is tied around the waist of the patient with a belt.

In some patient hemorrhoids show very little to no symptoms while in the others it presents with milder symptoms. However, it untreated, the symptoms might become worse over time. Following signs and symptoms are observed:

• Painless bleeding during bowel movements

• Itching or irritation in your anal region in case of external hemorrhoids

• Swelling around your anus

• Pain or discomfort

• A lump near your anus which might be painful as in case of thrombosed hemorrhoids

Common symptoms of Dyspepsia include:

• Bloating in the morning

• “Feeling Heavy” after or during a meal

• Burning in the upper abdomen

The exact causes of colon cancer are still not clear.

• A damage in DNA of colon cells occur which trigger neoplastic changes and growth.

• Gene mutations

Certain hereditary gene mutations increase the risk of this cancer. These include:

• Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)

• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

Other risk factors include:

• High-fat and low-fiber diet

• African-American race

• A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps

• Inflammatory intestinal conditions

• Inherited syndromes including hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) and familial adenomatous polyposis.

• Family history of colon cancer.

The most important cause of Barrett’s esophagus is GERD which is characterized by the reflux of gastric contents back into the esophagus. GRED causes inflammation in the walls of esophagus and hence causes damage to the lining. However, there are certain cases in which patients with Barrett’s esophagus never experienced heartburn or any other symptoms of GERD. Therefore, the exact causes of Barrett’s esophagus are unknown.

Certain risk factors include:

• Chronic heartburn and acid reflux

• Older adults

• Being a man

• Being white

• Being overweight

• Current or past smoking

• Alcohol abuse

• Activity: Follow your usual daily routineNote: Do not get the receiver wet; it is not waterproof!

• Eating: Eat your regular meals at the usual times. If you do not eat during the monitoring period, your stomach will not produce acid as usual, and the test results will not be accurate. Eat at least 2 meals a day. Eat foods that tend to increase your symptoms (without making yourself miserable). Avoid snacking. Do not suck on hard candy or lozenges and do not chew gum during the monitoring period.

• Lying down: Remain upright throughout the day. Do not lie down until you go to bed (unless napping or lying down during the day is part of your daily routine).

• Medications: Continue to follow your doctor’s advice regarding medications to avoid during the monitoring period.

• Recording symptoms: Press the appropriate button on the receiver when symptoms occur (as discussed with the nurse). Record the time you start and stop eating and drinking (anything other than plain water). Record the time you lie down (even if just resting) and when you get back up. The nurse will explain this.

• Unusual symptoms or side effects: If you think you may be experiencing any unusual symptoms or side effects, call your doctor.

You will return the receiver and diary when the monitoring period is over. The information on the receiver and diary will be downloaded to a computer and the results will be analyzed. Preliminary study data will be reviewed with you if you desire.

After completion of the study:

• Resume your normal diet and medications.

• Your doctor will discuss the results of your test with you during your next scheduled appointment.

• Normal activities – such as swallowing, eating and drinking – will cause the disposable pH capsule to detach and pass through the digestive tract in 7 to 10 days on average.

• No MRI exams (magnetic resonance imaging) should be performed for 30 days following capsule insertion.

Ultrasound is usually indicated in patients who are suspected to have an aortic aneurysm. This a sac like dilation in the wall of aorta due to the weakening of the wall. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening is done by ultrasound in following patients who are:

• men

• between ages 65 to 75

• current or former cigarette smokers and have smoked at least 100 cigarettes

• White people

• Have a history of atherosclerosis

• Have a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm

• High blood pressure

• Obesity

• Other possible reasons in which you might need an ultrasound examination are:

• a problem with another organ in your abdomen

• kidney stones

• tumors

• abnormal liver function

• abdominal pain

• bloating

The patient with IBS experiences following signs and symptoms:

• Diarrhea

• Constipation alternating with diarrhea

• Gas and bloating

• Abdominal cramps especially after meals and reduce after bowel movement

• Abdomen that sticks out

Stress often makes symptoms worse.

Gallstones present with the following characteristic signs and symptoms:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty meals. The pain is usually intermittent.

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Clay-colored stools

• Dark urine

• Stomach pain

• Burping

• Indigestion

• Diarrhea

Gallstones do not directly cause pain themselves. Instead, the blockage of bile ducts causes pain which impedes the flow off bile.Gallstones present with the following characteristic signs and symptoms:Pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty meals. The pain is usually intermittent.nauseavomitingclay-colored stoolsdark urinestomach painburpingindigestiondiarrheaGallstones do not directly cause pain themselves. Instead, the blockage of bile ducts causes pain which impedes the flow off bile.

If you experience following signs and symptoms, you might have this disease:

• Bloating

• Gas (flatulence, farting)

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Mouth Ulcers

• Joint Pain

• Heartburn, due to acid reflux

• Swollen Ankles (edema)

• Anemia

• Vitamin K Deficiency, leading to bleeding

• Fat Soluble Vitamins (vit ADEK)

• Excessive Bruising

Patients having any type of colitis, develop following common characteristic signs and symptoms:

• abdominal pain

• cramping

• bloating

• diarrhea

• bloody diarrhea

• fever

• chills

• fatigue

• malaise

• dehydration

• mouth ulcers

• joint swelling

• skin inflammation

A patient with Crohn’s disease may experience some or many of these symptoms and signs:

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Reduced appetite

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Blood in your stool

• Mouth sores

• Anal fistula

• Inflammation of the liver or bile ducts

• Inflammation of skin, eyes and joints

• Delayed growth or sexual development in children

Colonoscopy is done by a long, flexible tube which has a video camera at its tip. The tube is inserted through the rectum and the camera allows the doctor to view the colon on the screen.

The main procedure follows a preparation which includes the following:

• Patient has to follow a special diet plan

• Take a laxative

• Adjustment of medications of the patient

If anyone of you experiences rectal bleeding, you might have one or more of the following underlying causes:

• Gastric Ulcer

• Peptic Ulcer

• Crohn’s disease

• Ulcerative colitis

• Anal or rectal fissures

• Hemorrhoids

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Infections by Salmonella or E.coli

• Colon cancer

• Diverticulosis

Hemorrhoids re treated by making certain modification in the diet and lifestyle. Along with this conservative management, following endoscopic procedures are also performed in cases which do not respond to usual medications and remedies:

• Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoid

• Laser therapy/HET

• Hemorrhoid removal

Hepatitis B is caused by Hepatitis B virus HBV whereas Hepatitis C is caused by HCV. All the factors which act as sourced of transfer of virus, cause the infection. The common causes are as follows:

• Sexual contact

• Sharing of needles as in Intravenous drug users

• Accidental sticks from needles

• It can transfer from mother to child during birth (vertical transmission—mainly Hep B)

• Long periods of hemodialysis

• Tattooing with unsterile equipment

The exact cause of colon polyps is not known. However, there are a number of risk factors which increase the chances of developing colon cancer including genetic syndromes and family history.

Obalon weight loss balloon system have immense benefits when it comes to losing weight especially for those who have lost hope. The system promises of the following results.

• Proven weight loss, approximately twice as compared to that with diet and exercise

• It is a non-surgical procedure requiring no anesthesia

• Takes only 15 minutes to place the balloon

• It is FDA- approved

• Very quick, jump-start results

• Long term results

• Very convenient

• No downtime

If you have constipation, you will experience following symptoms:

• Small Caliber bowel movements

• Difficult and painful bowel movements

• Hard stools

• Belly bloating

Our project managers mobilize the medical translation team according to the regional director’s guidelines and project requirements. They also maintain ongoing communication with the client to ensure the final product is delivered on time and within budget.

H.Pylori most of the times goes unnoticed. However, the patients might experience following symptoms and signs:

• Burning sensation or pain in abdomen

• Pain becomes worse on an empty stomach

• Loss of appetite

• Anemia

• Bloating

• Nausea

• Frequent burping

• Unexplained weight loss

• Bloody/black stool

You should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following in addition to those mentioned above:

• Persistent and severe abdominal pain

• Blood in stools or black tarry stools

• Bloody or black vomit or coffee-ground colored vomit

Abdominal pain is usually accompanied by additional symptoms like:

• Indigestion

• Bloating

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Flatulence

A patient with GERD presents with certain characteristic symptoms:

• A burning sensation in chest after meals.

• The heartburn increases at night

• Chest pain

• Regurgitation of food

• Difficulty swallowing

• Chronic cough

• Laryngitis

• Feeling of a lump in throat

It is done using an endoscope which is a flexible tube with an attached light and camera at its end. As the endoscope is passed through the digestive tract, beginning from the mouth into the esophagus and so on, the pictures of the tract become visible on a color monitor in front of the doctor. In this way doctor can check the patency and condition of the tract.

Upper GI Endoscopy is done to view the upper GIT which includes mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and some proximal part of small intestine.

Similar procedure is done to examine colon and rectum and is called colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

If you leave diarrhea unattended, it can lead to some serious complications. The two most common are dehydration which deplete your body of essential fluid and electrolyte balance and malabsorption in which your body does not absorb enough nutrients present in food.