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The hidden crisis in the stomach: Why did Cameron's lesion go unnoticed by doctors?
In the medical world, certain symptoms are often ignored, especially those that are not obvious crises. In recent years, experts have discovered a potential health concern called Cameron lesions, which occur in the folds of the stomach's mucosa, particularly when those folds are compressed by the diaphragm. Particularly in patients with large hiatal hernias, these lesions may lead to chronic blood loss and ultimately iron-deficiency anemia. The presence of endemic lesions in the stomach is often overlooked by doctors, causing many patients to experience long-term discomfort during treatment.
Cameron lesions indicate acute or chronic ulcers in specific areas of the stomach, which present health risks that are often not fully recognized by medical professionals.
Causes and symptoms
Cameron lesions usually occur in patients with large hiatal hernias. When part of the stomach is displaced into the chest cavity, the structures of the diaphragm exert pressure on the gastric mucosa, causing linear ulcers or erosions. Although these lesions may bleed, they are not usually associated with pain or significant symptoms.
Experts point out that Cameron lesions are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms such as heartburn. For patients, these symptoms are often not obvious, but the symptoms of chronic anemia such as fatigue, shortness of breath and pale complexion are more prominent.
The incidence of Cameron lesions in patients with iron deficiency anemia is much higher than in patients without anemia, which is a health indicator that doctors need to be vigilant about.
Diagnosis and treatment
For those who suspect Cameron lesions, endoscopic examination (such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is the key to confirming the diagnosis. During this examination, the doctor can clearly observe the presence of these lesions and confirm the chronic bleeding they cause. If the patient also has other gastrointestinal symptoms, endoscopy may also be used to rule out other conditions, such as colon cancer.
For the treatment of anemia caused by Cameron lesions, doctors usually prescribe oral iron supplements, which may need to be taken for a long time to promote treatment. In addition, inhibiting gastric acid is also seen as an effective way to help lesions heal. Commonly used drugs include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole. For those who require surgery, surgery to repair a hiatal hernia can significantly improve anemia.
According to multiple studies, anemia improved in 71-92% of patients after surgery, indicating that the potential harm of Cameron lesions should not be underestimated.
How can physicians increase their awareness of Cameron lesions?
The ability of medical professionals to identify Cameron lesions is clearly a significant challenge. Because these lesions often have no obvious symptoms, their diagnosis is often overlooked. Research shows that lack of awareness of these lesions is a major reason why physicians miss opportunities to treat them. Another problem is that these lesions may resemble other gastric lesions in appearance. Therefore, a standardized examination and history taking is necessary.
Even sadder still, these lesions can be missed during examination even by experienced endoscopists. These potential health risks not only cause patients to experience long-term pain, but also impose a burden on the medical system.
ConclusionHealth crises hidden in our bodies are often difficult to detect, such as Cameron lesions. Along with symptoms of anemia, these lesions may remain quietly in the stomach, waiting to be diagnosed and treated. But should we rethink the way we diagnose medicine so that these invisible crises are no longer ignored?
