Ineffective oesophageal motility (IOM) is a common swallowing abnormality characterised by low-amplitude contractile sequences in the lower oesophagus. These ineffective sequences include low amplitude but progressive, low-amplitude simultaneous, and non-transmitted contractile patterns.

Children who suffer from several occurrences of croup should be evaluated for reflux disorders, says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL. Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal. It may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing, and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing.

People with severe, chronic heartburn that does not respond to medication now have a new surgical treatment option at UPMC that does not require any incisions. Heartburn, which also is known as acid reflux disease, is a condition in which acid from the stomach creeps up into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the chest. According to medical literature, as many as 14 million Americans live with acid reflux disease and complications can lead to esophageal cancer.