How not to get a stomach ulcer and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This is an important reason to avoid certain OTC pain relievers.

What is a stomach ulcer

A Stomach Ulcer is an open sore that has developed on the lining of the stomach.

See what a stomach ulcer looks like Close

Sometimes the exact same wounds occur in the part of the intestine located just behind the stomach. In this case, they speak of a duodenal ulcer. Both types of ulcers are referred to as peptic ulcers. They appear, develop and are treated according to the same scenario, therefore the concept of peptic ulcer can be considered an exact synonym for gastric ulcer.

Peptic ulcers are very common. For example, in the United States, every tenth person suffers from this disorder at one time or another. What is the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in the US? …

The older the person, the higher the risk of developing an ulcer. It occurs especially often in Stomach Ulcer in people over the age of 60.

What are the causes of stomach ulcers

There is acid in the stomach that helps to digest food. But she can also digest the walls of the organ itself. To prevent this from happening, the inside of the stomach is lined with a protective cell layer that actively produces mucus. If, for some reason, this layer is destroyed, the mucus becomes less, the acid begins to corrode the wall of the organ. This is how an ulcer is formed.

There are several factors in Peptic Ulcer Disease that can disrupt the protective layer.

1. Bacterial infection

Most often, it is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), trapped in the stomach from dirty hands or other objects. Under some not fully understood conditions, these microbes first cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis), and then violate the integrity of the protective layer.

It is curious that up to 50% of the Peptic Ulcer Disease of the world's population is infected with the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. But in most cases, this does not affect health.

A stomach ulcer develops in only 10-15% of those infected.

2. Taking some pain relievers

It is known that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Peptic Ulcer Disease (NSAIDs), such as:

• Aspirin. Even if the tablets are covered with a protective coating and dissolve far beyond the stomach.
• Ibuprofen-based products.
• Preparations based on sodium diclofenac Stomach Ulcer. Causes.
• Pain relievers based on naproxen.
• Some prescription NSAIDs.

Paracetamol-based drugs do not belong to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and do not harm the protective layer of the stomach.

It's important to note that not everyone who takes NSAIDs gets peptic ulcers. The risk is increased if pain relievers enter a stomach already infected with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Also, taking NSAIDs can be especially dangerous if Peptic Ulcer Disease:

• You do not follow the instructions and drink pain relievers uncontrollably, exceeding the dosage.
• You have been taking NSAIDs for many days in a row.
• You are over 70 years old.
• You are a woman.
• You are taking corticosteroids. These drugs are prescribed for asthma, arthritis, lupus.
• You have already been diagnosed with a peptic ulcer once.

3. Some lifestyle factors

It used to be thought that spicy food, coffee, alcohol, stress can thin the protective layer of the stomach. But today there is very little evidence of this Stomach Ulcer. Causes.

The only more or less proven harmful factor is smoking. It can provoke the formation of ulcers and reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

4. Other reasons

In rare cases, peptic ulcers may appear against the background of:

• severe infectious diseases;
• previous surgery on the abdominal cavity;
• taking certain medications, such as steroids;
• a rare disease called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, in which a tumor (gastrinoma) develops on the cells that produce acid.

Why is stomach ulcer dangerous?

Sometimes nothing. If the ulcer is small, the body may well cope with it on its own with Peptic Ulcer Disease. The wound on the stomach lining will heal and the digestive system will continue to function normally.

But this is not always the case. In some cases, Stomach Ulcer. Complications the ulcer grows, deepens and may one day reach the blood vessels. If this happens, massive internal bleeding will occur, with the risk of fatal blood loss.

Another equally unpleasant complication occurs when the ulcer becomes through. The contents of the stomach or intestines through the resulting opening enter the abdominal cavity, and this can cause peritonitis. Inflammation of the peritoneum, if not stopped in time, leads to blood poisoning, failure of vital organs and rapid death.

It is impossible to predict how events will develop in your case without a medical examination. Therefore, it is so important to know the symptoms of peptic ulcers - so that when they appear, see a doctor as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of a stomach ulcer and when to see a doctor

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Peptic Ulcer Disease. But more often the ulcer manifests itself as characteristic signs.

• Burning, "boring" pain in the upper center of the abdomen. It manifests itself most clearly on an empty stomach.
• The pain subsides after eating or taking antacid medications.
• Nausea or vomiting occurs regularly.
• Heartburn, bloating are observed.

If you feel at least a couple of the listed symptoms, you need to consult a physician or gastroenterologist as soon as possible.

Call the Stomach Ulcer ambulance if you have any signs of a peptic ulcer complication:

• vomit streaked with blood or has a dark brown grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds;
• dark, sticky, tar-like stools;
• sudden sharp pain in the abdomen that gets worse.

How to treat stomach ulcers

Therapy will depend on what exactly is causing the ulcer.

If you strictly follow your doctor's orders, you can get rid of the ulcer in a month or two with Stomach Ulcer. Treatment.

For treatment, you may be prescribed:

• Antibiotics Such drugs are indicated if it is suspected that the protective layer in the stomach has been damaged by a bacterial infection.
• Drugs that reduce the production of acid in the stomach.
• Antacid medicines, whose task is to reduce the acidity of the stomach, that is, to neutralize the gastric juice.
• Protective Peptic Ulcer Disease products. When taken, they cover the ulcer with a protective layer, that is, they serve as a kind of liquid bandage.

If the ulcer bleeds, surgery will be required. Doctors will insert a special tube into the stomach and use it to clamp the edges of the wound or cauterize it to stop the bleeding.

What to do to prevent stomach ulcers

Guarantee. that the ulcer will definitely not arise, it is impossible. But you can reduce the risks. Here are some easy ways to Stomach Ulcer. Prevention.

• Try not to use pain relieving medications (NSAIDs) unless absolutely necessary.
• If you need to bring down the temperature or reduce pain, choose the smallest effective dosage of NSAIDs. Which one is written in the instructions.
• Take NSAIDs with meals.
• Talk to your GP about which pain reliever is the safest for you. You may find an alternative to NSAIDs.
• Stop smoking.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Make sure your diet includes fruits and vegetables. Many of them, due to the fiber, help control stomach acidity, have anti-inflammatory properties and, in general, reduce the risk of developing peptic ulcers in Everything you need to know about stomach ulcers.