Assignment 1: Gastrointestinal Tract: Disorders of Motility
2 Pathophysiology of Gastric Acid Stimulation and Production The gastric parietal cells are found in the walls of the stomach and form the site where gastric acid is produced.3 The cells have the secretory canaliculus which releases gastric acid into the gastric lumen. 4 Gastric acid production occurs as a response to the hormonal, neurocrine and paracrine messengers which stimulate the series of reactions to produce the acid. Acid production takes place in three phase’s namely cephalic, gastric phase and intestinal phase. 3 Chemo transmitters are associated with the stimulation, production, and regulation of gastric acid. The chemo-transmitters are typically released into the gastric mucosa through different pathways that simulate the stimulatory and inhibitory mechanism (Borrelli, 2011).
The production, defense and healing mechanism against the harmful effects of gastric acid are regulated by an autocrine, neutral and paracrine control pathways. Gastric acid may be associated with digestive disorders such as GERD, PUD, and gastritis although it is equally important in the digestion of calcium, proteins and vitamin B12 as well as absorption of iron into the body.
Gastrointestinal reflux disorder (GERD) is the digestive condition that occurs due to acid reflux on the walls of the stomach. The excessive production of gastric acid leads to the overflow of the acid through the upper esophageal sphincter and causes a burning sensation on the esophageal walls. Peptic ulcer disease is more similar to GERD and involves acid action on the walls of the stomach leading to sores or wounds. Gastritis,
