Changes Resulting from PUD, GERD, and Gastritis Disorders

Gastrointestinal Disorders
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Institutional Affiliation
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Gastric acid is produced in the stomach by the parietal cells. The acid aids in the digestion by creating an optimal acidic condition in the stomach from which gastric lipase and pepsin work best. Furthermore, the acid is also useful in the stimulation of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Apart from creating an optimal environment, the acid is also useful in killing microorganisms such as bacteria and is involved in aiding the breakdown of food in the stomach. The secretion of the acid is present at birth and reaches the adult level at the age of 2 years (on a weight basis). However, there is a great decline in the amount of the acid produced especially in the elderly patients with chronic gastritis disorder. The change in the level of the acid secretion is usually caused by the change in lifestyle, diet, and drugs which in the process may lead to the imbalance in the levels of the acid produced. To this end, the essay will provide an analysis on the pathophysiology of gastric acid stimulation, production, disorders that arise from its production, factors that trigger the disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Gastric Acid Stimulation and Production Pathophysiology
Gastric acid is secreted by the gastric gland located on the stomach walls. The stomach walls, however, are protein in nature, making them prone to the action of the acid. In case the acid comes into contact with the stomach lining, there will be protein hydrolysis and stomach cell lining destruction leading to a condition called gastric inflammation (Aschenbrenner & Venable, 2009). However, the stomach walls are protected with a gastric mucosal lining that neutralizes the acid effect (Aschenbrenner & Venable, 2009).
The stimulation of gastric acid is initiated by food presence, thought of food, taste, and smell which result in the stimulation of gastric cells located in the stomach antrum. Furthermore, the presence of a protein diet further stimulates the acid production. Gastric acid production and secretion are to a great extent influenced by histamine, a chemical that is produced and released by enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL) located in the gastric gland. Enterochromaffin-like cells are stimulated by the nervous and endocrine system (Aschenbrenner & Venable, 2009).
Nervous cells in particular act on enterochromaffin-like cells hence secreting histamine a process that stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion. On the other hand, endocrine hormone when released makes contact with the enterochromaffin-like cells, stimulating it in turn to secrete histamine (Aschenbrenner & Venable, 2009).
Gastric acid stimulation involves three phases. The first phase is Cephalic phase that is triggered by taste, smell, thought of food or even sight. The second phase is a Gastric phase that triggers gastric acid production as a result of the presence of food in the stomach. The final step is the intes...