Stomach ulcer is a rupture in the protective lining of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract. Ulcers formed in the stomach are also known as gastric ulcer which may get malignant if left untreated. When the ulcer is in the first 12 inches of the small intestine it is known as duodenal ulcer, which is not as severe as stomach ulcer.
Causes
Stomach ulcers are also known as peptic ulcer, since they are caused due to the imbalance of an enzyme known as pepsin. Excessive hydrochloric acid secretion that is present in the digestive juices and weakening of mucous defenses also cause stomach ulcer. Other contributing factors are genetic predisposition, obesity, and excessive usage of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or corticosteroids, type ‘O’ blood (duodenal ulcers), improper diet, skipped or irregular meals, psychological stress, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. When the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori that is spiral shaped grows in the stomach or intestine, it secretes and enzyme intensifies the situation. Helicobacter pylori are transmitted through food and water that is contaminated. Peptic ulcer caused by these bacteria can be treated through antibiotics.
Impact
The destruction caused in the stomach lining may result in painful sore in a matter of few days. The stomach ulcer may grow from 1/8 inches to up to ¾ of an inch. Peptic ulcer may develop among children also. Rarely stomach ulcer may be a symptom of another disease or condition for instance, emphysema, liver disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Bleeding caused in the stomach linings may result in anemia and iron deficiency. Stomach ulcer injures the nerves surrounding the erosion causing severe pain. The pain may keep the affected person awake throughout the night.
Symptoms
There are certain warnings indicated by the condition of stomach ulcer. One may start feeling burning pain in the stomach or the lower portion of breast bone that may last for half hour or sometimes even over three hours. It is more likely for people to interpret this pain as a heartburn, or hunger. Though sometimes the pain may be relieved after eating, sometimes there is an onset of pain immediately after eating. The pain may last throughout the night, or throughout a week. The pain may be temporarily relieved when drinking milk, taking antacids and by resting.
Other symptoms of stomach ulcer are weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, bloated abdomen and so on. When the gastric ulcer begins to bleed the stools may start smelling foul and may become tarry. You may even start vomiting blood. If bleeding is left untreated it may result in chronic anemia due to iron deficiency.
Prevention and cure
It is important to diagnose the stomach ulcer at an earlier stage. Proper treatment through medication prescribed by the doctor will help recover from stomach ulcer. Along with medication, the affected person has to consider improving his lifestyle. Meals must be taken during regular intervals and in small quantities. Overeating and long gaps between meals may aggravate ulcer. During eating the individual must be relaxed and chew the foods and eat slowly. After meals it is important not to lie down for at least one hour. It is advisable to eat before 3 hours before bedtime.
Sour tasting foods, coffee, other caffeine containing beverages, tomato, lemon and other citrus fruits and chocolates should be avoided or at least reduced. Adding considerable quantity of protein in your diet will help the condition. Protein rich foods such as milk, meat, cheese, etc can be added to meals or snacks. To keep the acidity level down, antacids could be taken after meals in prescribed dose. Antacid cannot be replaced with milk or cream. Though milk has a neutralizing effect initially towards the gastric acid, it may also act as a potent stimulator. Smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages must be controlled.
Prevalence
A shocking fact is that about 4000 people die in US as a result of complications related to ulcer. Over twenty million people in US develop ulcer at least once in their life time. Every year about four million Americans are affected by stomach ulcers. About 40000 Americans undergo surgery to treat problems related to ulcer every year.
Treatment
The treatments for stomach ulcers are aimed at reducing the amount of acid secretion in the stomach, to protect the stomach lining and to kill Helicobacter pylori bacteria. The h pylori bacteria are killed using antibiotics such as Clarithromycin Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, and Metronidazole. The acidity in stomach can be controlled by H2-Receptor antagonists such as Cimetidine (Tagamet®), Famotidine (Pepcid®), Nizatidine (Axid®) and Ranitidine (Zantac®). Protein pump inhibitors such as Lansoprazole (Prevacid®), Pantoprazole (Pantoloc®) and Omeprazole (Prilosec®/Losec®) are also used for balancing the acidity in the stomach. Antacids such as tums and Rolaids help protect the lining from the acids. When the condition does not respond to medications, surgery may be the only solution.
Stomach ulcer if diagnosed in the early stages can be treated and cured with in few weeks. It is highly advised not to take medications without prescription to treat or relive symptoms of stomach ulcer. As the old saying goes, prevention is better than cure and it applies to stomach ulcer as well.
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i have ulcer and i dont know how to go about it,am from ghana please i need your help,thanks