Question

• Describe the normal pathophysiology of gastric acid stimulation and production. Explain the changes that occur to gastric acid stimulation and production with GERD, PUD, and gastritis disorders.
• Explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of GERD, PUD, and gastritis. Describe how you would diagnose and prescribe treatment of these disorders for a patient based on the factor you selected.
• Construct a mind map for gastritis. Include the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation, as well as the diagnosis and treatment you explained in your paper.

Answer 1

1.

The acid producing cells in the stomach that secret gastric acids are referred to as the Gastric Parietal cells. These cells contain the secretory canaliculus where gastric acids are produced into gastric lumen. The production of gastric acid in the gastric lumen occurs after the response to messages received through neurocrine, hormonal, and paracrine messengers and undergoes three phases that includes cephalic phase, gastric phase, and intestinal phase. The stimulation, production, regulation of gastric acid, and pepsin show that there is a balance of chemo transmitters. These chemo transmitters are usually delivered to the gastric mucosa through various pathways, which link both the inhibitory and stimulatory mechanisms

On the other hand, the production, healing and defense mechanism against acid injury, are regulated through overlapping neural, autocrine, paracrine and endocrine control pathways. Though the acids are not important for life, the preservation of gastric acid production in the vertebrate’s population shows an essential evolutionary advantage. The benefits of the acid in this population are the facilitation of protein digestion and calcium, vitamin B12, and iron absorption. Gastric acid also suppresses the multiplication of bacteria and this help prevent bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine and enteric infections

Changes that occur to gastric acid stimulation and production with GERD, PUD, and gastritis disorders

GERD, commonly referred to as heartburn, is a common disorder caused by acid reflux in the stomach. Human stomach naturally produces hydrochloric acid, which in turn signals gastric gland to secret gastric acid that contains essential digestive enzymes used to breakdown protein molecules for easier digestion . Like other functions of the body, too much or little acid can be produced. Many people will experiences acid reflux to the esophagus when there is too much secretion of acid in the stomach causing irritation thus resulting to a hurt burn. Gastric acid is one major factor that acts as a trigger to the symptoms of GERD. Research done on the various factors that trigger GERD shows that providing advice regarding dietary intolerance and lifestyle factors reduce the way gastric acid is produced in the stomach

With regard to Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), this disorder refers to the disturbance of mucosal integrity in human stomach. This disturbance is caused by the local inflammation that eventually leads to a properly defined mucosal defect. PUD can be either acute or chronic based on the pathophysiology. They include those with excess acid secretion, those caused by anti-inflammatory drugs, and ulcers of transferable etiology . Massive excretion of gastric acid is a major contributor to a person suffering from PUD. This happens to people with increased parietal cells thus experiencing hypersecretion of gastric acid. Gastritis is another disorder that is associated with gastric acid secretion. It is an irritation, erosion or inflammation of the stomach lining and can occur gradually or suddenly. Factors that impede with mucosal defenses such as epidermal growth and secretion of excess insulin and gastric acid influence disorders like gastritis. Any change of gastric secretion to a person having gastritis can cause more collision in the stomach, which in turn causes abdominal pain

2.

Despite the frequency of extensive research in the field of GERD, there is limited data that address the features of GERD in men and women. In the recent past, research carried out to establish features in women who tend to experience regurgitation, chest pain, and heartburn, has showed small margin results with those in men. In summary, GERD is familiar in women, more likely as regular in men, since women experience more severe and frequent symptoms of GERD

PUD is more similar to GERD, as most women fall victim of this disorder more frequent than men. This is because they secret less hormonal gastric acid because of other functions of the body especially when they are pregnant, which they undertake, thus having less immune to mucosa protection. On the other hand, gastritis is common in men than it is in women. This is because men tend to use more alcohol than women do and this causes irritation in the stomach. Women however tend to use drugs such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs, which cause gastritis

How to diagnose and prescribe treatment of these disorders

For the case of women, they should take precaution by undertaking screening for this condition in a health center and this can safely manage the symptoms if they occur . To diagnose PUD, both genders can take an acid-blocking medication for a diagnosis to check whether PUD symptoms improve. In this case, if the ulcers are extensive, a change in an individual’s lifestyle, medication, or surgery can be options to treatment . Gastritis diagnosis is mostly through a review of the family’s background, physical evaluation and a doctor will sometimes recommend a blood test, stool test, or an upper endoscopy. Gastritis is treated through intake of antacids to reduce stomach acids, antibiotics incase of pylori infection, elimination of irritating foods and vitamin B12 shots if it caused by pernicious anemia

3.