Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is when the
hydrochloric acid of the stomach splashes back up the esophagus through an incompetent
gastroesophageal sphincter at the distal end of the esophagus. This condition causes
pain in the upper abdominal quadrants or pain and a burning sensation in the chest area.
This pain can be quite severe and often mimics the pain of
AMI.
Barrett's esophagus or esophagitis is a structural,
inflammatory change in the cells that line the distal esophagus (metaplastic cells) .
GERD causes Barrett's esophagitis over time, usually years. A pathological tissue change
occurs in Barrett's and may lead to adenocarcinoma of the
esophagus.
Interestingly, most people experience problems
with bleeding in the distal esophagus before they ever reach the stage of Barrett's
esophagitis.
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