Does the esophagus have any special helpers that allows it to work faster, like enzymes, acid, etc.?
613426
The esophagus is just the path by which food travels from the mouth to the stomach. No digestion occurs within it. The movement of food is aided by muscle contractions called peristalsis, which works the food down to the stomach for further digestion.
225613
Don't play around with GERD.  It can lead to Esophogeal Cancer which has a 5 year survival rate of 5%.\nTake one of the acid reducers like Prilosec.
775350
yes it does, normal functions are altered because of the presence of growth..  there could be partial or total obstruction thus, inability to ingest food the usual way, through the mouth.  doctor's opt for surgery and peg tube placement as a way for provide enough nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer
1047366
My Daddy had this condition. He would eat a tiny bite of food and have to run to the bathroom, choking all the way. Our family has a history of Acid Reflux Disease. We also have Esophagus Cancer in our family as well. Acid Reflux can set you up for this cancer. My Daddy did indeed have to get a procedure where they stuck a carrot shaped thing down his throat, to stretch it so he could swallow. The relief didn't last him long though, about 6 months. I have Acid Reflux and I am not looking forward to the days to come. My granny also died of Esophagus Cancer. Please talk your Daddy into having the Doctor take a look! Very important.
65856
It can. but lots of times if you have a hard time swallowing it could be due to swollen glands.
211592
Drink a glass of water upside down. If it lasts a long time like 30 minutes or so, go see a doctor. you might have some type of a preexisting condition in your esophagus, which can be serious. If it lasts a long time, please dont wait to see a doctor.
1163619
Your doctor is the best person to ask for help.  The medications like prilosec are very helpful in protecting your esophagus. \n\n I lost two relatives to esophageal cancer caused by the damage from untreated acid erosion of the esophagus.  Only a physician can evaluate whether you need to be watched for damage.\nEsophageal cancer has only a 5% survival rate.
636904
Yes, It produces bile juice to help digest food. It is an important part of digestive system.
609522
A low pH slows down the enzyme activity. The enzyme present in the stomach is ptyalin. When ptyalin is inactivated, it cannot function.\n\nA little fact of enzyme:\nEnzymes are biological catalysts made of protein. They alter the rate of chemical reactions without themselves being chemically changed at the end of the reaction.\n\nEnzyme combine with the substrate (starch) to form a enzyme-substrate complex. After that, it breaks up into smaller products. The reaction does not change the surface configuration on the enzyme, and therefore can be used to catalyze another reaction. Smaller products makes digestion easier.\n\nSo, when pytalin (enzyme) is inactivated, it cannot go through the procedure as described above.
290450
Try drinking just slightly cold water instead of fridge cold, kinda like tap water with one ice cube.  This will make it digest smoother and won't make you have to go as quickly.
772473
Yup. This is called LPR or laryngopharyngeal reflux. Basically, it's just an extension of gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux) up to your throat. Most common symptoms include a sensation of "fish bone" stuck in your throat and cough. You can treat it the same way you treat acid reflux. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, acidic foods, and anything that increases the acidity of your stomach. Also, avoid lying down at least two hours after your last meal as this increases the susceptibility to reflux. You can take antacids, H-blockers, or PPI's as precribed by your doctor.
541275
I began using digestive enzymes 30 min's before a meal.(you can get these at a health food store).  This should not be done as a continuing solution however.  Your stomach needs to produce more acid actually.  I take a tablespoon of vinegar in a half glass of water if I already have the heartburn and it stops very quickly because now your stomach will produce more acid to digest the food!
699876
NO! Ibuprophin and midol will NOT help! They'll make it worse! Eat bread, or saltines or anything else that will absorb any extra stomache acid. Wait a little bit, if that doesn't help, dring some sprite or other pop (no caffine) Stay away from dairy till it's gone!!! FEEL BETTER!!!
765001
you guys must be kidding. saliva is not acidic. it has the same pH as blood which is around 7.4.\n\namylase, the main enzyme in saliva has a pH optima of 7.4. coincidence? no. this enzyme is used to catalyse carbohydrates in the mouth since enzymes in the stomach are mostly protein-digesting enzymes.\n\nalkalinty of saliva is a measure to somewhat neutralise the high acidity of stomach contents. you would notice if you remember the last time you vomitted. before you puke, a natural reflex to salivate occurs to protect your mouth from the stomach acids. saliva also helps to control pH on your stomach everytime you swallow.
591599
There are so many different enzymes in your body. They are mostly for digesting food. Like in saliva, you have amalayse which starts the breakdown of food. You can get more info at webmd.com.
596932
I suffered from a very severe case of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) for many years.\n\nI finally started to take Nexium and in about three weeks, it went away.\n\nI was on Nexium for about three years. During that time, I researched human nutrition and the digestive system.\n\nI decided to start doing cardiovascular exercises and weight lifting/plyometric exercises that would strengthen my core. \n\nKeeping those core muscles strong gives your entire body rigid support, which means you don't slump over. This is the first step in resolving GERD. Essentially, the valve that is supposed to stay closed once food enters your stomach needs an upright body to work better.\n\nNext, I stopped eating all fast food. The processed sugars, processed salts, and saturated fats are very challenging for your stomach to break down. It irritates your stomach into releasing more digestive acid than is needed.\n\nSwitching to whole foods, eating smaller meals, but more meals, also helped to reduce my GERD.\n\nThe drastic reduction of dairy products in my diet, especially ice cream, was a huge contributing factor.\n\nYou are going to hate this tidbit, but, chocolate is a significant cause of GERD. There are chemicals in chocolate that cause your gastric valve to open, so, you gotta go easy, very easy, with chocolate.\n\nSoda, due to its carbonation, contributes to GERD. Your gastric valve automatically opens in the presence of carbonation. This is why you belch when drinking soda.\n\nIt took a while, but, I was able to wean myself off Nexium, and I no longer suffer from GERD.\n\nI continue to exercise, stressing cardiovascular and plyometric exercises, like pushups, situps, pull-ups, dips . . . And, I continue to consume a whole foods diet. I miss eating chocolate the way I used to, but, I feel so much healthier. And, as a result of this, I lost 73 lbs.\n\nYes, being overweight causes GERD also.\n\nHope you find this information helpful.\n\nCheck in with Answers every now and then and let us know what you are doing and how it is coming along.\n\nPeace.
503892
Apparently, yes it can.  "In adults and children, irritating acidic juices may back up from the stomach into the esophagus and throat.  It is frequently called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERN.  This may occur at any time either day or night. A common anatomic condition known as a hiatal hernia \n\nMost people do not know that acid reflux can also cause problems in the larynx (voice box) or the pharynx (back of throat).  This can happen to someone even if he or she is not aware of any heartburn, and is sometimes called silent reflux, atypical reflux, or laryngopharyngeal reflux.\n\nSymptoms of acid reflux include: hoarseness, excessive mucous or phlegm, throat clearing, a sensation of a lump in the throat, sore throat, choking spells, wheezing, or post-nasal drip.  More serious problems can arise as well such as vocal fold ulcers or granulomas, vocal fold scarring, airway narrowing, or pneumonia.  There is also a small chance of developing cancer in the esophagus or throat due to long-term acid reflux."\n\nYou should see your family doctor who can order a test called pH monitoring which can measure the amount of acid in your throat.\n\nReally good site with lots more info on this subject below.  Hope that helps!