2 PCOL 838B GI DISEASE II

what are the roles of the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia and in reflux esophagitis achalasia: a motor disorder; lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax properly; leads to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), regurgitation and chest pain; over time leads to esophagus enlargement reflux esophagitis: increased frequency of LES relaxations; increased acidity; decreased LES tone leading to inflammation and burning chest pain at night or after meal due to repetitive acid exposure to esophageal mucosa what is the relationship of esophageal reflux to Barrett esophagus and cancer chronic recurrent reflux can also result in a change in the esophageal epithelium from squamous to columnar histology, termed Barrett esophagus, which leads to a greatly increased risk of esophageal cancer what are major risk factors for esophagus cancer tobacco and alcohol use are major risk factors what is cancer of the esophagus cancer of the esophagus narrows the lumen, causing the principal symptom, dysphagia. the obstruction causes vomiting and the person may experience bad taste in mouth or bad breath. accompanied by weight loss b/c inability to eat what factors may predispose a patient to duodenal ulcer disease -resulted from disorders of acid secretion in stomach -increased acid production/decreased mucosal defenses caused by NSAIDs or H. Pylori -acid peptic disease leads to duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastritis how does pernicious anemia result from a secretory disorder of the stomach in aut