Gastrointestinal Tract: Disorders of Motility Research Paper

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There can also be changes to the ways in which the body defends itself against these acidic secretions; increased acid exposure can seriously damage or even destroy portions which are given undo exposure. For example, in some patients, the stomach is unable to defend itself from the caustic nature of the acid, which creates lesions in the lining, called gastric ulcers.



How Age Might Impact the Pathophysiology of GERD, PUD, and Gastritis?



GERD:



Most patients with GERD suffer from symptoms of other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which produces pain, abdominal distress, and the need for frequent bowel movements (Gasiorowska 2009,-page 1829). GERD is more prevalent with patients who are over the age of forty although it has been found in patients much younger than this. Pregnant women or those who have other medical conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract, such as diabetes or hiatal hernia, are more likely to develop GERD. Age is a major factor as some of the preconditions for GERD such as slower stomach emptying come naturally age. There are three tests which have been traditionally used to diagnose the condition: pH monitoring to test for acid over a 24 or 48-hour period, endoscopy, or manometry. Unfortunately, GERD is a chronic condition without a cure, but there are ways of managing it including over the counter antacids and lifestyle changes. There are prescriptions available for severe cases. In the most extreme cases, surgery can be performed to suppress the acid producers.



PUD:



Like GERD, PUD tends to be found in older patients; in this case PUD is very rare in patients under the age of 60. Less than 10% of patients are aged 20. It is believed that the reason for this is that while 50% of all people have some H.

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pylori bacteria within their bodies in their lifetime, only 5-10% will become the victims of PUD and the more fragile the body at the time of infection, the greater the likelihood to develop PUD (Kulber 1990,-page 737). Testing for PUD first requires testing for the presence of H. pylori which is can be done with a blood, stool, or breath test. An endoscopy or x-ray of the digestive system will also show whether a peptic ulcer exists. To treat the PUD, the patient should first be given antibiotics to kill the H. pylori. Acid blockers such as prilosec or prevacid are given either in over-the-counter or prescription medications. Antacids are also given as they neutralize stomach acid and prevent the chemical compounds from causing pain. There are also medicines which protect the stomach lining and small intestine from being further deteriorated by the acid.



Gastritis:



Older people have a higher risk of developing gastritis as with the other conditions because of the thinning of the stomach lining over time (Wehbi 2013). In addition, patients over the age of 60 are more likely to develop autoimmune disorders or to have trouble naturally fighting off bacteria like H. pylori. As with PUD, gastritis is diagnosed first through tests to detect H. pylori. From there, the doctor can perform an endoscopy or an x-ray of the upper digestive system to look for signs of the condition. Once it is diagnosed, acid blockers are prescribed, as are antacids and medications to reduce outright acid production.



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