Upper GI Disease Information

Approximately 20–40% of the adult population in Western countries suffer from heartburn and/or regurgitation, the characteristic symptoms of GERD. The Montreal Definition and Classification of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease defines GERD as: a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Click on the link to read more.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a normal physiological process, and so it is common for healthy infants and children to bring up partially digested food from the stomach. This resolves spontaneously by the age of 1 year in most children but a significant proportion develop GERD, in which persistent reflux causes symptoms or complications. Click on the link to read more.

The evidence that H. pylori infection is the most important cause of chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is unequivocal. Understanding of the role played by H. pylori has revolutionised the management of PUD, offering a potential cure for most patients. Click on the link to read more.

NSAIDs are among the most widely used drugs in the world. Each day, it is estimated that 30 million people worldwide benefit from their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. NSAID use is particularly common among elderly patients; approximately 10–20% of those aged 65 years or over have a current or recent NSAID prescription. Click on the link to read more.