Navigating Upper Digestive Tract Disorders with Compassion and Care

Ashley Tyler

Hello, and welcome to Poetic Nursing: The Nurse’s HEART. I’m Ashley Tyler, and I’m so grateful you’re here today. You know, nursing is an incredible journey—a blend of science, compassion, and resilience—and this podcast is about celebrating that journey while diving into meaningful topics that impact our practice, our patients, and, well, us as caregivers.

Ashley Tyler

In this episode, we’re exploring something that’s both fascinating and so essential to patient health—upper digestive tract disorders. Now, the upper GI system might sound like just a technical term, but it’s really at the heart of so much of what our patients experience daily. From the oral cavity… to the esophagus… all the way to the stomach, this system is like the first chapter of the body’s story of nourishment and health. And as nurses, understanding it is not just important—it’s transformative.

Ashley Tyler

So whether you’re a practicing clinician, a dedicated nursing student, or even just someone curious about the connection between our bodies and overall well-being, I think you’ll find something here that resonates. Because, as we’ll see throughout this conversation, treating the upper digestive tract isn’t just about the symptoms—it’s about touching lives in ways medicine alone can’t always measure.

Ashley Tyler

What I hope, truly, is that this episode brings you insight and inspiration—both for your work and for yourself. Now, let’s dive in and uncover the delicate yet powerful workings of the upper digestive system together.

Ashley Tyler

James was one of those patients who showed me just how transformative oral health can be. He was in long-term care, and for months, he avoided, well, just about everyone—smiling, talking, even eating with others—because his gingivitis was so severe. You could see how much it affected not just his physical health, but his spirit. Together, we created a routine—proper brushing, flossing, regular dental visits—and after months, James actually smiled and said, “I feel human again.” I’ll never forget that moment; it’s a reminder of how even small changes can restore more than just physical health.

Ashley Tyler

One of the common issues affecting the mouth is stomatitis—that’s simply inflammation of the oral mucosa or the lining of the mouth. It can be triggered by dentures that don’t fit well, tobacco use, or poor oral hygiene. And treatments? Often simple, like shifting to a soft, bland diet and addressing the root cause. Patients may not realize how big their dentures or, honestly, their habits play into these symptoms until we guide them through it.

Ashley Tyler

Now, let’s talk about periodontal disease. This condition isn’t just about bleeding gums; it can progress from mild gingivitis all the way to advanced periodontitis, where you’re looking at potential nutritional deficits and tooth loss. And tooth loss isn’t just cosmetic—it impacts nutrition, speech, and even self-esteem. But the good news is that early-stage gum disease can be reversed with consistent oral care, plaque removal, and fluoride treatments. Patient education go such a long way here. It’s about empowering patients to take control of their health, starting with their smile.

Ashley Tyler

Of course, we can’t talk about oral health without touching on oral cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are the most common types, often linked to lifestyle factors like tobacco use, poor nutrition, and long-term oral irritation. Still, early detection makes all the difference. As nurses, we’re often the ones educating patients on these risks and supporting them through treatments, be it surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. It’s one of those areas where we can have such a profound impact by catching things early—starting that conversation about risk factors, maybe even before they’ve thought to check.

Ashley Tyler

Let's take a moment to reflect. How can you prioritize oral care in your daily nursing practice to improve patient outcomes? It’s a question I think about often because the answers vary so much based on the person, their history, and even our practice settings.

Ashley Tyler

Let me share the story of Mr. Lee, a retired teacher who, like so many of us, cherished family dinners. But over time, every meal became a struggle. He found it harder and harder to swallow, until even simple foods, like soup, felt impossible. Months went by, and finally, after persistent effort, he was diagnosed with a condition called achalasia. It’s a neuromuscular disorder that causes the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus to tighten, making it difficult for food to pass into the stomach. For Mr. Lee, it was, it was overwhelming—imagine turning every bite into a challenge.

Ashley Tyler

But here’s the heart of his story: treatment options, paired with personalized care, helped him rediscover the joy of eating. Through things like soft food preparation and meal planning, he found a rhythm that worked. And the next time I saw him? He told me how he’d shared a meal with his grandchildren, worry-free. That’s what perseverance and thoughtful intervention can do—it can transform lives.

Ashley Tyler

So, let’s break down some of these esophageal conditions, starting with achalasia. It’s rare, yes, but it’s so impactful. It tends to start subtly, with dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, and weight loss, and then progresses. Treatments range from medications to esophageal dilation or surgical procedures for cases like Mr. Lee’s. And as nurses, our role in managing these patients extends beyond recommending interventions. It’s about teaching them how to adapt their diets, such as avoiding tough meats, raw vegetables, spicy foods, and carbonated beverages and Opting for soft foods, pureed textures, and routines with small, frequent meals with thickened liquids to reduce aspiration risk, raising the head of the bed to prevent regurgitation while providing encouragement during what can be a challenging time.

Ashley Tyler

Now, I wanna talk about esophageal cancer. This condition often sneaks in quietly, with symptoms like pain and, again, dysphagia—difficulty swallowing. The risk factors are significant too—smoking, chronic irritation from reflux or even alcohol use. Treatment plans might involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, but what always stands out to me is how vigilant we need to be about complications like nutritional deficits. It’s not just about managing the cancer. It’s helping patients maintain the strength to keep going, physically and emotionally, while educating them about symptom relief at home.

Ashley Tyler

And then there’s GERD—gastroesophageal reflux disease—and hiatal hernias. These are so common, yet they can drastically affect someone’s day-to-day well-being. With its signs and symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, and chronic cough, GERD can lead to discomfort, inflammation, and sometimes even esophageal stricture, where the esophagus narrows. A hiatal hernia, on the other hand, happens when part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest. Both conditions often call for lifestyle adjustments—like promoting weight loss and dietary changes such as avoiding citrus, caffeine, chocolate, fried foods, and alcohol and Encouraging small, frequent meals and eating at least . or elevating the head of the bed when sleeping and avoiding lying down right after eating. Additionally, such as like , are taken to maximize absorption. We have tools that help manage the symptoms of both, but knowing the person behind the symptoms is key because every case is different.

Ashley Tyler

When I think of the esophagus, it’s not just a tube that passes food along. It’s a bridge—a vital connection—not just for the body but for the life moments that meals bring. And each condition we’ve discussed today shows how that connection can be compromised and restored with care.

Ashley Tyler

Sarah came into the clinic one day—a young mother who, honestly, looked exhausted. She'd been dealing with severe abdominal pain for weeks but brushed it off, thinking it was just stress or bad eating habits from juggling her kids and work. After some tests, a gastroscopy revealed she had a gastric ulcer. You could tell she didn’t expect that diagnosis—who would? But what stood out about Sarah was her resilience. With the right treatment, some dietary changes, and stress management strategies, she slowly regained not just her health, but her energy. Seeing her care for her kids again, without that shadow of constant pain, was, well, it was inspiring. Her story is such a clear example of why early intervention matters.

Ashley Tyler

Now, when we talk about gastric ulcers and gastritis, they’re part of a larger category of conditions affecting the stomach lining. Gastritis, for instance, is essentially inflammation of the stomach lining. It’s often triggered by factors like an H. pylori infection, long-term NSAID use, or even chronic stress. And here’s the critical part to remember—left unchecked, it can lead to complications like ulcers, or in severe cases, even bleeding. Speaking of peptic ulcers, these are actual tissue breakdowns that occur in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestines, the duodenum. If not addressed, these ulcers can sometimes turn life-threatening through perforation or significant bleeding.

Ashley Tyler

Management starts with identifying the root cause. For example, if H. pylori is the culprit, antibiotics form the cornerstone of treatment. Before meals, antacids can help neutralize stomach acid and PPI like omerprazole or Prilosec, and of course, then lifestyle changes are important—avoiding smoking, reducing alcohol, and incorporating a diet that promotes healing by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, alcohol, and caffeine. Chronic gastritis and ulcers may lead to Peptic Ulcer disease, it is crucial to monitor for , encourage stress-reducing activities, and reinforce adherence to medication regimens But what always resonates with me is how personalized care makes all the difference. For someone like Sarah, it wasn’t just about the medications but about creating a sustainable plan she could stick to—balancing nutrition, self-care, and her role as a mom.

Ashley Tyler

Now shifting gears a bit, let’s discuss something even more insidious—stomach cancer. It’s a condition that often develops quietly, without significant symptoms, until it’s more advanced. Risk factors can include things like chronic H. pylori infections, high salt diets, or even prior stomach surgeries. And when it does surface, patients often face a daunting road—surgery, chemotherapy, sometimes both. As nurses, our role goes far beyond just assisting with treatments. We’re called to manage pain, guide them through nutritional challenges, and, perhaps most importantly, address the emotional weight of their journey.

Ashley Tyler

Here’s are questions I think about often: how can we, as holistic caregivers, better address the emotional and psychological challenges that come with a stomach cancer diagnosis? What role does stress management play in preventing and managing gastric ulcers? It’s one thing to treat the physical symptoms, but healing truly begins when we partner with our patients—acknowledging their fears, giving them a safe space to process, and empowering them to navigate their path forward.

Ashley Tyler

I remember a particular patient—let’s call him Mark—who came to us after undergoing gastric surgery. He was facing a tough recovery, and one of the things that really got to him was dealing with something called dumping syndrome. For Mark, it wasn’t just the physical symptoms—sudden nausea, sweating, even low blood sugar—it was how unexpected and overwhelming those changes felt. He was, well, he was frustrated and defeated. But as we worked together, focusing on meal timing, portion control, and those little dietary tweaks, I saw something shift in him. Slowly, he started regaining his confidence, and eventually, his control over what felt, at first, uncontrollable. It was such a clear reminder of how education can transform not just outcomes but lives.

Ashley Tyler

Now, let’s talk about some of the complications we often see with upper GI disorders. Nausea and vomiting, for instance—are common, but, oh boy, can they cause a cascade of issues if left unchecked. Things like dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which, honestly, can become pretty dangerous. Interventions here? First, antiemetics like to relieve nausea are your go-to for symptom relief, paired with fluid replacement to counter dehydration, advancing meals as tolerated. And then there’s monitoring for aspiration risks, especially in patients who might also struggle with swallowing or positioning. It’s about looking at the whole picture—not just stopping the vomiting, but addressing what it could lead to next.

Ashley Tyler

Let's review, then there’s dumping syndrome, which happens, as we mentioned with Mark, after surgeries like gastric bypass. The symptoms can be fast and intense—like nausea, dizziness, even sweating, and, sometimes, hypoglycemia as gastric contents are dumped soon after eating, often leading to nutritional deficits and vitamin B12 deficiency. The key here—and I can’t emphasize this enough—is patient education. It’s all about timing. Helping them pace their meals, portion their food, drinking water between meals instead of with meals, and avoiding those high-sugar meals that might trigger an episode. Although these small steps sound simple, they can make such a big difference in managing their symptoms and, ultimately, their quality of life.

Ashley Tyler

Here’s something I’m curious about: How do you empower your patients—especially those with complex digestive disorders—to take ownership of their care, and their symptoms? What strategies have been most effective in making that education stick?

Ashley Tyler

And that wraps up today’s deep dive into upper digestive tract disorders. From stomatitis to GERD and even those more advanced interventions for stomach cancer, we’ve seen how understanding these conditions can change the trajectory of a person’s life. As nurses, educators, and sources of hope, we hold the privilege of doing more than treating symptoms. We get to show up with compassion, knowledge, and the resolve to partner with our patients in their healing journeys.

Ashley Tyler

But let’s not forget—what we’ve discussed here isn’t meant to replace medical advice. If something we touched on today has raised questions for you, please always consult your healthcare provider. You know, this field is constantly evolving, and staying curious and connected to trusted resources is how we grow as professionals and individuals.

Ashley Tyler

Before we go, I have one favor to ask. If this episode sparked something in you—maybe a new perspective, or maybe even just a reflection on the value of what we do—please share it with a colleague or a friend. Let’s keep this ripple of connection and learning going. If you haven’t already done so, subscribe to Poetic Nursing: The Nurse’s HEART so you don’t miss future explorations into the heart of nursing care.

Ashley Tyler

So, as you step back into your practice, into your classrooms, or even just back into your day, I want you to remember that every step you take, every patient you touch, every moment you give, brings hope and healing into the lives of those who need it most. And isn’t that something beautiful?

Ashley Tyler

Thank you so much for joining me today. Until next time, take care, stay inspired, and let’s continue to create a legacy of healing together.