Digestive System: Clinical aspects

Question 1

What are the two general causes of peptic ulcer disease?

Answer 1

Insufficient protection from HCL and pepsin (due to damaged mucus coat and too much HCL/pepsin)
Helicobacter pylori

Question 2

How can damaged tissues repair in 1-2 months from peptic ulcer disease?

Answer 2

If luminal acidity is decreased

Question 3

What are factors that delay healing from peptic ulcer disease?

Answer 3

Cigarette smoking
Alcohol
Caffeine
Calcium
Aspirin

Question 4

What can AGGRAVATE peptic ulcer disease (NOT cause it)?

Answer 4

Stress, spicy foods

Question 5

What causes gastroesophageal (esophageal) reflux?

Answer 5

Stomach chyme backing up into lower esophagus

Question 6

What are possible contributing factors to esophageal reflux?

Answer 6

Chronic gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining)
Hiatal hernia
Pregnancy
Incompetent lower esophageal sphincter
Subluxations: problem with myenteric plexus?

Question 7

Ways to reduce reflux?

Answer 7

Keep a food diary, log spices and drinks consumed along with reflux episodes
Limit how much is eaten at once
Do not eat less than 3 hours before bed

Question 8

Problem foods?

Answer 8

Spices (pepper, garlic, onion, peppermint, cinnamon)
Acidic foods (citrus, tomatoes)
Acidic beverages (fruit juices, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea)
Fatty foods
Alcohol

Question 9

What is Barrett’s esophagus?

Answer 9

Stratified squamous epithelium is replaced by mucus-secreting simple columnar epithelium in lower (proximal) esophagus; this is metaplasia from a chronic problem