=The backward flowing of gastric contents into the esophagus.
=When this occurs, the client experiences heartburn and indigestion.
=
-Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed except during swallowing.
-Reflux反流 of gastric contents into the esophagus is prevented by pressure differences between the stomach胃 and the lower esophagus.
-The diaphragm膜 and lower esophageal sphincter括約肌 help maintain this pressure difference.
-GERD may result from transient短暫的 relaxation鬆弛 of the lower esophageal sphincter, an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter, and /or increased pressure within the stomach.
-Gastric juices胃液 contain acid酸, pepsin胃蛋白酶 and bile膽汁 which are corrosive腐蝕性 substances物質. In GERD, esophageal mucosa食道粘膜 is damaged by gastric juices causing an inflammatory response炎症反應.
-Prolonged exposure長時間接觸 -> esophagitis develops發炎-> ulcers develop and mucosa may bleed潰瘍發展和粘膜出血 -> untreated未治愈 -> scarring and esophageal stricture may develop結疤和食管狹窄可能發展
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-Heartburn, usually after meals, with bending or relining
-Regurgitation of sour material into mouth
-Difficulty and pain with swallowing
-Atypical chest pain非典型胸痛
-Sort throat喉 and hoarseness嘶啞
-Dysphagia吞嚥困難 and belching嗝