Grossman MacLean (bowlgrass23)
The stomach is an anatomical sac-like organ which continuously functions by secreting digestive fluid and holding food before it really is completely digested by the cells of the gastro-intestinal tract. The fluid, that is largely water and bile, is pumped round the digestive tract to assist in the digestion of food. The stomach contains a number of organs like the esophagus, the pancreas and the liver. Nearly all our stomach acid is generated from the bacteria that are present naturally in the stomach and the tiny intestine. Food is pushed into the stomach by the muscular action of the diaphragm, a triangular-shaped muscle that extends from just underneath the stomach to the diaphragm, the uppermost layer of the stomach.
The stomach and small intestine have their own set of necessary organs for the proper functioning of digestion. Therefore, any disorder or malfunction in either of the organs can seriously hamper the normal function of the other. The stomach is located just beneath the breastbone in humans and has a long narrow tube, which empties the stomach contents in to the small intestine. The small intestine is much longer compared to the stomach and is attached to the upper portion of the stomach through the duodenum. Furthermore, the stomach houses the sensitive organs for locating sweet and sour tastes, the main sources of food sensations.
Cancer of any of these organs can be extremely serious since it can spread to another organs and result in a complete disruption of digestion. Cancer of these organs may also have a grave prognosis because it destroys the functions of both the stomach and the small intestine. This kind of cancer is also referred to as stomach cancer and is probably the most common types of stomach cancer. This kind of cancer can affect folks of all ages, even though risk increases with age. It usually begins to spread rapidly, but may remain localized for some time before it spreads to other areas of the body. This type of stomach cancer accounts for about 50 % of most stomach cancer cases.
One of the main outward indications of this disease is regurgitation of material from the stomach into the esophagus. This symptom could be mild to severe. It generally manifests itself as frequent belching and burping of indigestible material from the stomach. The gastric juices, however, are intended to neutralize the acid in the stomach so that it will not damage the lining of the esophagus. Unfortunately, once the undigested material escapes in to the esophagus the juices neutralize the acids and prevent them from healing the esophageal lining. At these times the lining of the esophagus can erode away resulting in scarring, ulceration, and excessive bleeding.
There are several types of abnormalities at the junction where in fact the stomach and the esophagus meet. Two of the conditions are Hiatal hernia and poor diet plan. Hiatal hernia is due to an abdominal muscle bulging through the low opening of the stomach. Poor diet plan result in both dumping syndrome and ulcers at the gastroesophageal junction.
Esophagitis or irritation of the esophagus is another common symptom. This is generally regarded as a dry, scratchy sore that is associated with light-colored stomach discharge. Small red bumps called purplish lesions can also be found on the surface of the sore. In extremely rare cases the esophagus becomes inflamed and irritated, producing a more serious condition known as esophagitis papulosa nigra. When it reaches this point the area may develop into a perforated esophagus, or perhaps a serious form of stomach cancer known as Esophageal Cancer.
