Gastrointestinal problems affect more than a million people in the U.S. every year. Selecting the physicians and practice that provide the best care for your unique needs is extremely important.

The Cooper Digestive Health Institute, the largest outpatient gastroenterology center in South Jersey, provides patients with the most advanced testing and treatment in a state-of-the-art outpatient facility. Cooper gastroenterologists diagnose and treat many complex disorders and diseases of the digestive tract, but one of the more prevalent health problems being seen in patients is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is a digestive disorder that is caused by gastric acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD and is described as a burning chest pain that begins behind the breastbone and moves upward to the neck and throat. For most people, over-the-counter antacids can help, but the cause of the problem remains.

“People that tend to be overweight, smoke, overeat and consume a lot of caffeine or alcohol are more susceptible to this disorder,” said Steven R. Peikin, M.D., Director of the Cooper Digestive Health Institute and author of GERD: It’s More Than Just Heartburn. “I think what some people don’t realize is in many cases, gastroesophageal reflux disease can be prevented through simple diet and lifestyle changes.”

Some ways to manage heartburn include the following:

• Monitor the medications you are taking – some may irritate the lining of the stomach or esophagus.
• Quit smoking.
• Eat smaller portions.
• Do not lie down or go to bed right after a meal.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Elevate the head of the bed six inches.
• Lose weight, if necessary.

If you’d like to learn more about GERD, including available treatment options, we invite you to download and read GERD: It’s More Than Just Heartburn, a free eBook by Dr. Steven Peikin, online at cooperhealth.org/gerd.

Related Links

• Cooper Digestive Health Institute
  Located at 501 Fellowship Road in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, the Cooper Digestive Health Institute staff is committed to implementing innovative medical techniques and maintaining excellence in patient care, while offering a full range of gastrointestinal services.
• Download Your Free Digestive Health eBook
  This short book is available free as an Adobe PDF; an EPUB file, which can be viewed on a number of devices including the iPhone and Sony eReader; or a MobiPocket file, which can be viewed using a Kindle, Blackberry and other mobile devices.

“This new device is going to increase early diagnosis of pancreatic diseases and cancer,” said Adam B. Elfant, M.D., Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy at the Cooper Digestive Health Institute. “The ability to finally biopsy difficult-to-reach areas within the ductal system and pancreas will allow patients to be treated sooner if cancer is found, leading to better outcomes for patients. This is a remarkable step in diagnosis for this devastating cancer,” Dr. Elfant said.

Cooper is the only center in South Jersey that offers the SpyGlass™ system.

SpyGlass™ uses a tiny fiber-optic camera – not much bigger than a pencil point – inserted through a catheter (or tube) via the mouth into the upper digestive tract. Threaded through the stomach and into the bile ducts, the camera can be “steered” in four directions, allowing physicians to pinpoint the spot they want to examine. With SpyGlass™, physicians are able to see clear, three-dimensional, color images in real time. SpyGlass™ also uses a light probe and miniature forceps for physicians to take tissue samples for biopsy. Most procedures are done on an out-patient basis.

Until now, direct visualization of the pancreatico-biliary system was not widely performed due to the limitations of traditional visualization systems and diagnostic testing.  For many patients, exploratory surgery has been the only way to secure a diagnosis.

Being able to diagnose pancreatic disease without the need for an invasive surgical procedure represents significant progress.  With a more timely diagnosis, patients can begin treatment much earlier, resulting in the potential to dramatically improve outcomes.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2008 nearly 38,000 Americans were diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas–the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.  Pancreatic cancer is a “silent” disease, with patients often not exhibiting symptoms until late in the disease process.  As a result, the majority of patients with late-stage disease have a poor prognosis for survival.

Symptoms like unexplained weight loss, persistent loss of appetite, or light-colored stools should always prompt concern. Consistent or worsening discomfort (abdominal pain and/or bloating), nausea, vomiting or diarrhea also is worrisome. If you feel something’s not right, see your doctor.