Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions General Information

In the first part of our clinical presentation, we intend to provide you with a set of information regarding some of the most widespread Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions from all over the world. Most clinical disorders that involve a certain pathological hyper-secretion are known to affect the patient’s gastro-intestinal tract, being directly related to the individual’s production of gastric and / or intestinal acid. An increased production of this type of acid is known to lead to the development of several gastro-intestinal clinical disorders, among which GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are the most common. However, all patients must be aware that some hypersecretory medical conditions refer to the excessive production of hormones or that of any other natural bodily secretion.

If a patient is diagnosed with the presence of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, his or her organism is known to produce increased levels of gastrin (a well known hormone); this is known to lead to the excessive production of hydrochloric acid. In most cases, the true cause of this clinical condition is the presence of a gastrinoma (a tumor) that affects the individual’s pancreas and / or duodenum. Almost 95% of all individuals who are suffering from this clinical disorder are known to develop a certain type of a peptic ulcer.

The medical disorder commonly referred to as GERD (an abbreviation that stands for Gastro-esophageal reflux disease) is characterized by the presence of an abnormal acid reflux in the patient’s esophagus, which leads to unpleasant (and sometimes severe) mucosal damage or chronic symptoms. The presence of this disorder (one of the most common Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions) may be due to permanent or transient alterations of the barrier that separates the stomach and the esophagus.

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Symptoms

In this chapter you will find some of the most common clinical manifestations that have been linked to the presence of these two Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions (GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). However, all individuals must be well aware of the fact that the list of symptoms that we have listed here is not complete. For this reason, if you are interested in acquiring professional information regarding this matter, we strongly suggest you to contact a well trained health care provider.

Adult individuals who have been diagnosed with GERD will develop severe heartburn, as this is one of the main clinical manifestations of this medical disorder. Most patients describe this symptom as an unpleasant burning sensation that is located behind the sternum (breastbone). Other common signs that may be triggered by the presence of this disorder include: dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), chest pain (a chronic symptom), inflammation, and so on. While some patients only develop one of the clinical manifestations that we have listed here, others may experience all of these unpleasant symptoms. The severity of the individuals’ clinical manifestations depends on their Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions and on the stage of their disorders. Other symptoms which may be associated with this disorder include: nausea, ear ache, voice changes, hoarseness, cough, and so on.

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Treatment

The most effective therapy options that can be prescribed to patients who suffer from Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions is known to depend on the type of hypersecretory disorder that the individual presents, on the disease’s severity, on the patient’s age, sex, general health condition, and so on. By studying the last part of our presentation (clinical guide-book) you will become acquainted with the most common treatment trials that may be employed in the case of patients who are suffering from Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, as well as from Zollinger-Ellison’s syndrome. However, all individuals should know that the advice / recommendations that you will find here present only an informative nature, as they cannot replace a visit to an authorized health care provider.

Before your personal health care provider prescribes you a therapy for your disorder (for any of the known Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions), he or she will want to know more about your current health condition (if you are suffering from any other clinical disorders, especially known allergic reactions to any foods, medicines, substances, and so on), about your personal and / or family medical history. It is important to inform your personal health care specialist if you are pregnant or are planning to become so in the foreseeable future or if you are currently nursing your baby, as this may prevent you from being able to start the intake of certain medical products.

The most common treatment options for patients who have GERD (one of the most common Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions) consists in the applying of certain life-style modifications (which may substitute for a medication therapy). For this reason, individuals who are diagnosed with Gastro-esophageal reflux disease are prescribed to lose weight (though diet, exercise), to avoid eating 2-3 hours before going to sleep, to make sure that they maintain their head slightly elevated when they lie down / sleep, and so on. Such individuals should avoid the use of alcohol, coffee, smoking, the intake of antacids, aliments that are rich in fats, and so on, as these are known to promote their unpleasant symptoms.

On the other hand, individuals who present Zollinger-Ellison’s syndrome (one of the most well known Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions) will probably be prescribed a medication therapy that should be able to ease their unpleasant symptoms and decrease their excessive production of acid. The use of proton pump inhibitors (especially Lansoprazole and Omeprazole) and the regular intake of histamine H2-receptor antagonists (among which, the most common are Ranitidine and Famotidine) has proven to be quite effective in such clinical cases, as such drugs are able to diminish the patient’s acid secretion. Surgical removal of the tumors (cancerous cells) should be employed when such a clinical procedure is possible. Another way of dealing with the patient’s cancerous clinical disorder is chemotherapy.