When is heartburn more than just heartburn? If you find yourself needing more and more antacids, you could be one of the rare individuals that actually have a condition known as Zollinger Ellison Syndrome, sometimes referred to as ZES. This painful condition is characterized by one or more tumors in the pancreas or in the upper small intestine, the duodenum. Zollinger Ellison is actually quite rare and affects less than 1% of the population. These tumors, often small in size cause excessive acid production in the stomach, and usually affect those over the age of fifty, with men being the primary sufferers.

The pancreas is located behind and below the stomach and is very important for its role in digestion and hormone production. Along with producing enzymes that aid in the digestion of food, it also produces insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar. Another function of the pancreas is the production of gastrin which controls the production of stomach acid. In Zollinger Ellison Syndrome tumors are made up of cells that secrete large amounts of gastrin which causes too much stomach acid. This excess acid leads to peptic ulcers.

The symptoms of Zollinger Ellison Syndrome include:

-burning, aching or other pain in the upper abdomen
-diarrhea
-heartburn
-nausea and vomiting
-weakness
-bleeding in the gi tract
-unintended weight loss

If Zollinger Ellison Syndrom is suspected by your physician there are several tests that may be ordered to diagnose the condition. One of the easiest is a blood test to check for excessive gastrin. This test should be done fasting to ensure accuracy. If necessary, other tests that can be done include upper gastrointestinal endoscopy( commonly referred to as an upper GI), computerized tomography( commonly referred to as a CT scan), ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging(commonly referred to as an MRI).

The most often used treatment method includes the use of antacid medications to reduce the amount of acid, the most prescribed of which are proton pump inhibitors. These medications are usually long acting, allowing for once daily dosing. Manufacture names for these drugs include Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Aciphex and Nexium. The second phase of treatment is to heal the ulcers themselves.

Surgery is sometimes indicated if the tumor is large and can be located by the physician. However, if there is more than one tumor present, surgery is often not indicated. In some cases the tumor can spread to the liver, in which case surgery is often used to remove the tumor. In severe cases portions of the liver may be removed or a liver transplant may be necessary.

Additional treatment options include embolization(cutting off the blood supply to the tumor), radio frequency ablation(heating the tumor) or chemotherapy.

While rare, Zollinger Ellison Syndrome can be a debilitating illness. However, several treatment options are now available.

Related Posts

• Infant Reflux
• Amphojel
• Protonix
• Symptoms of Reflux
• Try a Reflux Diet this Holiday Season
• Heartburn
• Moms, what reflux symptoms does your baby have?

In Conditions. You can leave a response, or trackback from your site.