This will play a video - Sitting in kitchen, man coughs while next to his wife.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR ESOPHAGEAL HEALTH

Esophageal symptoms and diseases affect millions of people in the U.S. every year.1 Some of these diseases can lead to life threatening conditions. Know your risk and take proactive steps for early detection.

A SIMPLE, FAST, AND CONVENIENT WAY TO EVALUATE YOUR ESOPHAGEAL HEALTH

If you have reflux symptoms or heartburn, you may be at a higher risk for developing serious esophageal diseases.2

Your physician can begin to investigate potentially significant health concerns related to your esophagus right in the office with the Cytosponge™* cell collection device.

This simple test uses a small capsule-shaped device the size of a multivitamin. The capsule contains a sponge, which is connected to a thin string. When you swallow the capsule, it dissolves in your stomach and releases the expandable sponge.

In about 7.5 minutes, your doctor will use the string to remove the sponge and collect cells to evaluate your esophageal health.

Simple, convenient, fast. The Cytosponge procedure:

  • Requires no sedation3
  • Is well-tolerated by patients3
  • Can be performed in less than 10 minutes3

Take charge of your esophageal health and ask a physician if the Cytosponge™* cell collection device is right for you. This simple 7.5 minute procedure may make a difference in your esophageal health.4

Find a Doctor
Graphic illustrating how the Cytosponge device works after being swallowed by a patient.

UNDERSTANDING ESOPHAGEAL DISEASE

The esophagus is a tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. There are many conditions that can affect the esophagus, including heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Barrett’s esophagus. GERD is characterized by chronic acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus causing symptoms.

If left untreated, esophageal conditions like GERD can lead to more serious diseases.5 GERD can be treated when diagnosed, but many people don’t realize they have it because the symptoms can be associated with other conditions.

Reflux symptoms include:6,7

  • Chronic heartburn
  • Regurgitation
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Chronic cough, sore throat, and/or hoarseness
  • Sleep disturbances and nighttime symptoms
  • Belching, gas, and bloating
  • Nausea
  • Intolerance of certain foods
  • Sour taste in the back of the mouth

Fill out this questionnaire to identify other factors that may increase your risk for a more serious disease.

Illustration showing in orange where esophageal disease is location in the body.
Find a Doctor
The Cytosponge device capsule and expanded sponge are shown attached to their strings against a gradient grey background

TAKE CHARGE WITH
CYTOSPONGE

Read more about Cytosponge™* cell collection device and take charge of your esophageal health.

LEARN MORE

Information and resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor. Always discuss diagnosis and treatment information including risks with your doctor. Keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary

*

Third-party brands are trademarks of their respective owners. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company.

1

Peery et al. Burden of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases in the United States. Gastroenterology, 156(7), pp.254-272.

2

Kadri Sudarshan R, Lao-Sirieix Pierre, O’Donovan Maria, Debiram Irene, Das Madhumita, Blazeby Jane M et al. Acceptability and accuracy of a non-endoscopic screening test for Barrett’s oesophagus in primary care: cohort study BMJ 2010; 341 :c4372.

3

Assessment of a minimally invasive oesophageal cytology collection system (CE marked) in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus (specimen adequacy, biomarker sensitivity for BO, and safety), Clinical Study Report - CASE I: COVB2700466-CSR, May 2015 (Data on file).

4

Kahrilas P. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. NEJM 2008;359(16):1700-1707.

5

Dymedex Market Development Consulting, Strategic Market Assessment, GERD, October 30, 2014. References 1-3, 6-15, 22, 23, 25, and 34 from the full citation list, access at http://www.medtronic.com/giclaims.

6

GERD Symptoms: Typical and Atypical. http://www.gerdhelp.com/about-gerd/symptoms/. Accessed on January 4, 2017.

7

What are the symptoms of GER and GERD? https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/symptoms-causes. Accessed on January 4, 2017.