title: Alcohol and the upper gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.
abstract: Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, stimulates acid secretion, and reduces the gastric mucosal barrier to hydrogen ion back-diffusion. These actions may result in esophagitis, acute gastritis, and ulcer formation. Although excessive alcohol consumption commonly produces acute and chronic pancreatitis, and pathogenesis is unclear.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects; D010189:Pancreatic Juice / Q000378:metabolism; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol