Gastric and esophageal emergencies.

The pathophysiology of esophageal and gastric disorders is complicated and broad and includes iatrogenic, structural, inflammatory, neuromuscular, neoplastic, and infectious causes. Symptoms can be nonspecific and are often initially attributed to cardiac or respiratory causes. These disorders have both acute and chronic presentations that require different approaches to diagnosis and management. A thorough history and physical examination enable emergency physicians to initiate evaluation of gastroesophageal disorders. Complete evaluation often requires a combination of emergent screening to rule out life-threatening problems as well as coordinated outpatient testing.