Normal Swallowing
The act of swallowing involves a sequence of carefully timed events which proceed normally without any conscious effort or thought. As food or liquid is pushed into the back of the throat by the tongue, a wave of contraction begins in the throat which pushes it smoothly down the esophagus and into the stomach.

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Barrett's esophagus is a condition which may occur in as many as 10% of patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux. As a result of chronic long-standing acid reflux, the normal lining of the lower esophagus is severely damaged or destroyed. The lining of the stomach then grows into the esophagus to replace the normal lining. Unfortunately, this lining is abnormal. It undergoes a change called intestinal metaplasia, which can be positively identified on biopsy. Further changes such as dysplasia may occur which lead to the development of esophageal cancer in up to 5-10% of patients with this condition. If Barrett's esophagus is identified, the patient should be followed regularly with periodic gastroscopy and biopsies. The goal of screening is to identify cancer at an early stage to improve the chances of a surgical cure.
Endoscopic Screening and Dysplasia

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What is an Ulcer?
An ulcer is a sore or break in the lining of the digestive tract. Most ulcers are found in the duodenum, the portion of the small intestine just beyond the stomach. Ulcers may also form in the stomach, and these are called gastric ulcers. The terms duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer refer to the location of the ulcer. Peptic ulcer indicates the ulcer is due to the damaging effects of acid and peptic, or digestive juices. In the past it was felt that peptic ulcer disease was a chronic, recurrent disease of unknown cause. An ulcer could be healed, but nothing could be done to alter the underlying tendency to develop ulcers.

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What is it?
Helicobacter Pylori (HP) is a bacteria which can infect the lining of the stomach. It generally affects the lower end of the stomach and causes chronic inflammation or gastritis. In some cases, the gastritis causes ulcers, or symptoms which suggest that an ulcer is present. These symptoms may not improve with antiulcer therapy or may improve temporarily only to recur when treatment is stopped. Chronic infection with HP may also cause severe recurrent ulcer disease. Occasionally, it causes no symptoms at all.

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What is Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis literally means weakness or paralysis of the stomach. The lower portion of the stomach, or antrum which grinds solid food, contracts poorly, or not at all. As a result of this condition, the stomach becomes sluggish, and digests solid food very slowly.

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