NURS 287 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Hiatus Hernia, Esophagus, Gastric Mucosa

• School: University of Calgary
• Department: Nursing
• Course: NURS 287
• Professor: Rick Nilson

Document Summary

There is no one single cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). It can occur when there is reflux of acidic gastric contents into the esophagus. Predisposing conditions include hiatal hernia, incompetent lower esophageal sphincter, decreased esophageal clearance (ability to clear liquids or food from the esophagus into the stomach) resulting from impaired esophageal motility, and decreased gastric emptying. A complication of gerd is barrett"s esophagus (esophageal metaplasia), which is considered a precancerous lesion that increases the patient"s risk for esophageal cancer. Most patients with gerd can be successfully managed by lifestyle modifications and drug therapy. Drug therapy for gerd is focused on improving les function, increasing esophageal clearance, decreasing volume and acidity of reflux, and protecting the esophageal mucosa. Because of the link between gerd and barrett"s esophagus, patients are instructed to see their health care provider if symptoms persist. The two most common types of hiatal hernia are sliding and paraesophageal (rolling).