Health & Well-being
THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | chiswickmagazine.co.uk
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Learning more about upper gastrointestinal conditions By Professor Muntzer Mughal, Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at The Princess Grace Hospital, Chiswick Medical Centre and London Digestive Centre From swallowing difficulties and gallstones to oesophageal cancer, the positioning of an upper gastrointestinal (GI) condition in the oesophagus, stomach or first part of the small intestine means even those considered less severe are still not particularly pleasant.
Symptoms of gall stones to be aware of include: • Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) • Biliary colic (severe abdominal pain) • Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) which can lead to severe pain and fever • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
As a general surgeon who has specialised in the treatment of upper GI conditions for over thirty years, I have certainly seen all manner of injuries in this area. However as many of my patients have found out to their detriment, it’s sometimes only the onset of sudden and excruciating pain that signifies the first indication of a problem.
As well as ensuring you are following a healthy and well-balanced diet, due to the serious nature of the symptoms concurrent with gallstones, if pain is present then treatment is often required to dissolve or remove the stones. This is normally possible through advanced medicines, or innovative keyhole surgery which can be carried out at The Princess Grace Hospital.
With this in mind, I take care to emphasise to all of my patients at Chiswick Medical Centre the importance of becoming educated on the general symptoms associated with upper GI conditions. After all, this knowledge may prove to be particularly helpful should you or a family member ever have the misfortune to experience any of them.
Achalasia When we swallow food, the muscles in our oesophagus (the tube from our mouth to our stomach) contract to push the food down. A muscular ring at the end of our oesophagus then relaxes so food can enter our stomach. Achalasia occurs when our oesophagus and muscular ring fail to contract and relax, leading to a build-up of food that doesn’t enter our stomach as it should. There are multiple symptoms of achalasia, such as: • Chest pain and recurring chest infections • Choking and coughing fits • Difficulty or pain when swallowing food (this is called dysphagia) • Heartburn • Vomiting after eating • Weight loss
General upper GI conditions and what to look out for The most common conditions that occur within the upper gastrointestinal area are predominantly treated by a gastroenterologist, and if required, a general surgeon such as myself. There are a range of related illnesses linked to this sub-specialty that you may recognise, the most recognisable of which I have detailed below: Gallstones Gallstones are small stones usually made up of cholesterol that appear in our gallbladder, the pear-shaped organ just below our liver which stores bile to help digest fat properly. They seem to be more prevalent in older people and women, and as with many related conditions are particularly linked to pregnancy, obesity and rapid weight gain.
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THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | August 2019
As well as recommending changes to your dietary habits, we provide a range of innovative treatment options for achalasia at Chiswick Medical Centre – including specialist drug therapies and muscle relaxant injections to help relax the muscular ring at the base of your oesophagus, making swallowing food far easier as a result.
THE CHISWICK MAGAZINE | chiswickmagazine.co.uk
Health & Well-being
Hiatus hernia Hiatus hernias happen when part of our stomach moves up into our chest. Whilst this may sound incredibly painful, most hiatus hernias are in actual fact very common - particularly in adults over the age of 50. It’s possible to have a hiatus hernia without experiencing any specific problems or symptoms, however related factors to be aware of include: • Acid reflux • Bad breath • Burping and feeling bloated • Difficulty swallowing • Feeling nauseous and being sick • Heartburn Most hiatus hernias do not require surgical treatment, and can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes such as eating smaller meals more regularly, and removing certain foods from your diet. Gastroesophageal reflux (GORD) Perhaps the most common of the upper GI conditions, gastroesophageal reflux (GORD) results from acid and stomach contents travelling up into the oesophagus, often due to a weakened sphincter. The most commonly associated symptoms of GORD are: • Heartburn after eating or lying down • Chest pain • Sore throat • Phlegm in your throat, particularly after waking up Most reflux problems can be treated with general medication. This not only includes prescribed antacids such as omeprazole, lansoprazole and ranitidine, but for minimal reflux issues even everyday over-thecounter options available at your local chemist can suffice. In some extreme cases anti-reflux surgery can be the most suitable treatment option, which normally involves wrapping part of the top of the stomach loosely around the lower oesophagus. As with all of the more intricate surgeries for upper GI conditions, be assured that if a specific procedure is unavailable at Chiswick we can refer you directly to one of HCA Healthcare UK’s renowned London hospitals for further treatment.
HEALTHCARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY IN CHISWICK
Identifying the lifestyle links As may have become clearer, the links between poor lifestyle and dietary habits and the onset of upper GI conditions is undeniable. With factors such as weight gain, obesity, poor diet and smoking playing such a major role in the onset of the conditions we’ve touched upon – it stands to reason that pursuing a healthier lifestyle is arguably the greatest deterrent to avoiding gastrointestinal problems as a whole.
If yourself, or one of your family members do display any of the symptoms I have touched upon in this article, be assured that our dedicated gastroenterology department at Chiswick will take great pride in providing you with expert diagnosis and treatment, with access to advanced medical technology within a state-of-the-art environment.
Of course, at Chiswick we fully appreciate the busy lives our patients live means it isn’t always easy (or indeed fun) to live by a strict health regime. This is why our gastroenterologists work closely with specialist dietitians and physiotherapists to create detailed dietary and exercise plans for patients diagnosed with upper GI conditions.
www.hcahealthcareuk.co.uk/chiswick
As an experienced general and upper gastrointestinal surgeon passionate about improving the lives of my patients, I continue to teach at the esteemed University College London and University College London Hospitals. This passion and responsibility is shared with my equally renowned colleagues at Chiswick Medical Centre, ensuring that patients of all ages who visit us receive the very best in specialist upper GI care.
For more information please contact Chiswick Medical Centre, part of HCA Healthcare UK, on 020 8712 1806.
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