Joe Brian, 6?3? tall and 265 pounds, came to the physician with complaints of indigestion, heartburn, a bloated feeling, and occasional vomiting. He states that he sometimes wakes up with the taste of vomit in his mouth. He also complains of chest pain and states, "Sometimes I feel like I am having a heart attack." After performing an endoscopy, the physician diagnoses a hiatal hernia with

Question

esophageal reflux and esophagitis. The physician prescribes a histamine receptor antagonist and antacids before meals and at bedtime. ?

Describe the pathology that occurs when a hiatal hernia exists. Correlate each symptom with the medical diagnosis and describe the cause.

Answer 1

At the lower end of the esophagus is the cardiac sphincter, which prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, the stomach protrudes through the opening and allows acidic content to flow back into the esophagus. After meals, the client should be positioned upright to prevent regurgitation that occurs with the reflux of the acidic content. The condition also causes pain and a bloating sensation. Treatment aims at preventing acid from being in contact with the esophageal tissue, which could predispose to cancer. ?