What is a Peptic ulcer?
A peptic ulcer is a term indicating an ulcer in your stomach or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine into which the stomach empties). The cause of this ailment is a combination of nervousness, wrong food and individuals susceptibility.
Symptoms of a Peptic ulcer
It is possible to have a peptic ulcer with no pain at all; however, typically the first thing you will notice is a pain or burning sensation in the epigastrium, which is just below the breastbone.This symptom is relieved by eating food, but it returns within an hour. These symptoms may become worse for a while, then stop for some weeks, returning later to be repeated in the same manner.The problem may also get worse between meals when you don't have any food in your stomach. It could even wake you up at night.
Symptoms Besides Pain
Your whole digestive system may not feel comfortable as if you need to throw up. You may belch more than normal or feel bloated.When you poop you may see black stools or blood. Even some patient with stomach ulcers don't feel like eating and lose weight without trying.
CAUSES OF PEPTIC ULCER
The main causes of ulcers aren't stressed or spicy junk food. Those only make the issue more serious. The bacteria in your gut called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is often the cause of the problem. It stirs up your stomach wall from time to time until an ulcer forms.
There is no strong evidence while you get this bug. Research claims that it can pass through close contact, spread through kissing, tainted food or drink. By age 60, about half of all individual has been infected.
Why Painkillers Can Cause Trouble
Medicines That May Lead to Ulcers
Some medications, when you use NSAIDs at the same time with some medications, can set the fire up for an ulcer. Some of these drugs are alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel).Which help to treat bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis. Steroids and blood thinners may be too much for your stomach to take. Discuss with your health professional if you notice signs of a peptic ulcer.
Could It Be Cancer?
Although, not common and a very rare case, but sometimes tumors cause stomach ulcers. You may have heard about a condition called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES), it means one or more growths called gastrinomas form in your small intestine and pancreas.These tumors release hormones that force your stomach to release out more acid than normal, which leads to ulcers. Gastrinomas do not always mean you have cancer. They can be benign (not harmful) and may not spread.
Treatment of Peptic ulcerYou'll need to take them if your ulcer is due to H. pylori. These medications cure most ulcers caused by these bacteria, but it can be tough to get rid of H. pylori once and for all.Sippy powders have been used, for many years and are found to be very effective. In recent years, however, it was found that these disturb the acid-base balance of the body; so a search was made for something to neutralize the acids in the stomach, thus eliminating this objectionable feature.Aluminum hydroxide and aluminum trisilicate were found to be suitable. They can be given without fear of overdose. Outwardly ulcer patients may not appear to be tense, but inwardly they are.This tension may be reduced by the use of 1/2 teaspoonful of tincture of belladonna every four hours to relax the muscle spasm; however, an objectionable feature of this remedy is that it tends to make the mouth dry, which limits its usefulness.Miltown, largactil and other tranquilizers may be used two or three times a day to relax the general nervous tension during periods of special stress.Here are Bland foods for an upset stomachThe diet should be bland. The patient may follow a strict milk diet for a month, but usually, other bland foods such as;
- Eggs.
- Bananas.
- Strained fruits.
- Vegetables.
It essential that alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, and spices be discontinued. since they can make your belly hurt. You may want to try foods with probiotics ("good" bacteria) like kefir, miso, and sauerkraut.
Don't ignore your ulcer
Complications of Peptic ulcer
The patient should then be hospitalized, for there is little one can do for the patient at home except to put him to bed.In the hospital, hypodermics can be given to stop the bleeding and the blood level can be checked periodically to see that it is being maintained at the proper level. Transfusions and possibly surgery may be necessary.
3. You may be hooked with a sharp abdominal pain you have not experienced before. The abdominal wall becomes tense. This is the result of the ulcer's having eroded through the wall so that the contents of the stomach are being poured into the abdominal cavity.Because the fluid is acid, it causes great pain. This is an acute emergency and operation must be performed at once, for if the condition exists more than a few hours unattended the person may not recover.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING
If your health provider thinks you have an ulcer, a test of your breath or stool can check to see if you have the H. pylori germ. A stomach X-ray -- often called a "barium swallow" -- will look for any sign of ulcers. At the lab, you'll be asked to drink a thick, white liquid that coats your stomach. This makes ulcers easy to spot on the X-ray image.
Endoscopy is another procedure done by your physician that lets him/her see and take a sample tissue, which can be tested for H. pylori. Your doctor will give you sleeping pills, after a skinny tube with a tiny camera will be inserted down your throat and into your stomach. This procedure is not meant for everyone. However, if you're older patient, have signs of bleeding, or find it hard to swallow, eat, or keep on enough weight.
In addition, go easy on yourself, during treatment avoid pain relief drug because your ulcer may not heal on time. If you must use pain reliever take the gentle one that is good for the stomach and ease your pain, try acetaminophen.Your doctor can help you with the right choice of NSAID. To use your drugs, take the smallest dose that still helps you, and swallows it with food.
A word from Healthsoothe
Stomach ulcers often respond well to treatment and sometimes recover quickly usually within weeks. You just have to give yourself time to heal. Your doctor may want to do another H. pylori test or endoscopy to make sure.An ulcer that doesn't heal up on time may be as a result of not taking your drug properly or another health problem like Crohn's disease. Be patient.
Your health provider may want to gather more info about your symptoms and try other treatments to get your stomach feeling better.
Reference
- The New Health and Longevity by A. C. Selmon a. "The Oriental Watchman Publishing House, 1960."
- American Gastroenterological Association: "Peptic Ulcer Disease."
- American College of Gastroenterology: "Peptic Ulcer Disease."
- Mayo Clinic: "Peptic Ulcer."
- NHS: "Stomach Ulcer."
- Merck Manual (Consumer Version): "Helicobacter pylori Infection."
- CDC: "Helicobacter pylori: Fact sheet for health care providers. (Updated July 1998.)"
- Cedars-Sinai, "Ulcers."
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Treatment for Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers," "Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome."
