Question

Carefully and completely answers each of the six questions that are listed. Gina Rinaldi is a 66 year- old accountant who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. She recently underwent a complete physical examination. She told her physician that she had been feeling fairly well until she began experiencing heartburn, which has become progressively worse and more painful. The heartburn often occurs after she eats a large meal and is particularly bad after she goes to bed at night. By directly examining the esophageal lumen using an endoscope the physician found evidence of reflux esophagitis and slight narrowing throughout the esophagus. Mrs. Rinaldi’s history does not indicate any significant health problems. During her last physical exam, her physician advised her to stop smoking and lose 20 pounds, but she has not attempted to do either. The nutrition assessment reveals that Mrs. Rinaldi is feeling stressed because it is the middle of the tax season. She usually has little time for breakfast, eats a lunch of fast foods at her desk while continuing to work at her desk, and eats a large dinner at around 8.00 P.M. She generally has wine with dinner and another alcoholic beverage later in the evening.

1. Explain to Mrs. Rinaldi the meaning of her diagnoses reflux esophagitis and esophageal stricture. Pretend that Mrs. Rinaldi knows very little about her body so your explanation should be very clear. 2. From the brief history provided, explain the factors that and behaviors that increase her risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 3. What recommendations will you make to help her change these behaviors? Relate your advice to each of the factors listed in the history. 4. What medications might the physician prescribe, and why? 5. If untreated what are some of the complications of GERD? 6. What would be your advice to Mrs. Rinaldi as an alternative medicine student?

Answer 1

Reflux es ophagits Injuny of gastnic contents Into the Esobhageal stricture Occurs when there 1s na thghtening o the ophagus typicafly ccophageal secondary ecophagel Itis qn mucasal 1. to n Oclurs that nawrowalng OccurC when stomach aud and This initants damage ining ofthe the Other exophagus Over time gactnesophageat 2. Factox hat increase risk dusease ale ) Eating large meals Smoting (ii Stress an Eatng fast food Alcokel consumphon 3 The consumptuon of alchot and Amoking chould be Atopped fast foods and intake of large 'neals should be taken at mall intervals as well as avoid tating meals. The 4. The should prescnbe madicine yuaan Counterack the effcch ol stomach acid. 8uch as An ta u'd Proton pump inhibitor -Decreases aud release in stomach Fii) Diarrhoea meditahon- Reduces urgeniy of bowel movemints froqueny and