Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Known Symptoms

Typical symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation (especially postprandially or when recumbent).
Atypical symptoms: Chest pain (non-cardiac), chronic cough, laryngitis, asthma exacerbations, dental erosions.
Red-flag symptoms: Dysphagia, odynophagia, unexplained weight loss, hematemesis, anemia (suggesting complications or alternative diagnoses like malignancy).

Known Causes

Esophagitis: Erosive or ulcerative.
Esophageal strictures: Due to chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
Barrett’s esophagus: Intestinal metaplasia (premalignant condition).
Esophageal adenocarcinoma: Long-term risk in Barrett’s esophagus.
Respiratory complications: Aspiration pneumonia, chronic cough, asthma.

Care

Prevention:
- Maintenance of healthy weight, dietary modifications, avoidance of smoking and alcohol excess.
- Judicious use of medications that reduce LES pressure.
Follow-up:
- Long-term PPI use at lowest effective dose; periodic reassessment of need.
- Endoscopic surveillance per guidelines if Barrett’s esophagus is present.
- Monitoring for symptom recurrence or development of alarm features.

Known Symptoms

Typical symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation (especially postprandially or when recumbent).
Atypical symptoms: Chest pain (non-cardiac), chronic cough, laryngitis, asthma exacerbations, dental erosions.
Red-flag symptoms: Dysphagia, odynophagia, unexplained weight loss, hematemesis, anemia (suggesting complications or alternative diagnoses like malignancy).

Known Causes

Care

Prevention:
- Maintenance of healthy weight, dietary modifications, avoidance of smoking and alcohol excess.
- Judicious use of medications that reduce LES pressure.
Follow-up:
- Long-term PPI use at lowest effective dose; periodic reassessment of need.
- Endoscopic surveillance per guidelines if Barrett’s esophagus is present.
- Monitoring for symptom recurrence or development of alarm features.

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Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Our Gastrosciences service diagnoses and treats conditions of the digestive system such as the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Our team of gastroenterologists, hepatologists and specialist nurses use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to give precise care. POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) treats oesophageal motility disorders, ESD to remove early tumours without open surgery, ERCP and SpyGlass for bile-duct problems, EndoVAC for closing leaks, STER for subepithelial tumours, and capsule endoscopy to image the small intestine. We also perform diagnostics and therapeutic endoscopy (OGD, colonoscopy, EUS, manometry, pH studies) and offer stenting, polypectomy, dilation, variceal therapy and biliary drainage as needed. In addition, age appropriate diagnostics and transplant-linked care are provided with dietitians and psychological support built into long-term plans.

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