Troy Francis, a middle-aged salesman, complains of a burning pain in the “pit of his stomach,” usually beginning about two hours after eating and abating after drinking a glass of milk. When asked to...

Troy Francis, a middle-aged salesman, complains of a burning pain in the “pit of his stomach,” usually beginning about two hours after eating and abating after drinking a glass of milk. When asked to indicate the site, he points to his epigastric region. The GI tract is examined by X-ray fluoroscopy. A gastric ulcer is visualized, and drug therapy using a proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics is recommended. (a) Why is this treatment suggested? (b) What are the possible consequences of nontreatment?

Mrs. McGrath experienced a difficult childbirth, and is suffering from fecal incontinence as a result. Her doctor suspects damage to the nerve innervating her external anal sphincter. What is fecal incontinence? How is this condition linked to nerve damage?