Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as a “condition which develops when the reflux of gastric contents causes troublesome symptoms or complications.” The estimated prevalence of GERD in North America is…
Introduction Abdominal pain and chest pain represent the two most prevalent pain complaints to the US emergency departments each year at 8.6% and 5.2%, respectively. Of those presenting with chest…
Introduction The initial evaluation for chest pain must rule out potentially life-threatening cardiac and pulmonary causes. However, the majority of chest pain cases are actually noncardiac in origin and typically…
Introduction Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a neuropathic pain syndrome that occurs following an acute episode of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles . As with other manifestations of neuropathic pain,…
Introduction IBS has a worldwide prevalence rate of 5%–20% , and makes up ~25% of “functional gastrointestinal disorders” diagnoses. Functional abdominal pain is difficult to define, diffuse (not localized), and…
Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that comprises two different clinical diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The Centers for…
Introduction Chronic mesenteric ischemia develops due to insufficient blood flow within the splanchnic vasculature, most typically in the presence of a gradually occlusive disease state like atherosclerosis. An estimated one-fifth…
Introduction Between 10% and 30% of patients presenting to gastroenterologists with chronic abdominal pain have chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP). These patients often undergo unnecessary procedures and tests while their…
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer globally and in the United States. Although the incidence and mortality rates have been steadily declining over the last…
Introduction The development of chronic pain after surgery is an important and often overlooked problem. Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) can dramatically impair quality of life, limit postoperative rehabilitation, and strain…
