WHAT IS PEPTIC ULCER
Peptic Ulcer Disease are open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer that normally protects against acid. But if the amount of acid is increased or the amount of mucus is decreased, then ulcer could be developed. Ulcer is an open painful wound. It is developed when people used to intake painkillers frequently, or complaining about heart burning and feeling discomfort in their stomach area.
- Esophageal Ulcer is developed in the mucus layer of esophagus.
- Stomach Ulcer or Gastric Ulcer are actually a painful sores that locates in the stomach lining. While there is also another type of ulcer which is known as Duodenal Ulcer.
- Duodenal Ulcer occurs at the end point of stomach and upper portion of the small intestine known as Duodenum. All these types of ulcers are referred to Peptic Ulcers.
PEPTIC ULCER CAUSES
Approximately 10% of young people are affected globally by peptic ulcers at least once in their lifetime. There are multiple factors that causes stomach or duodenal ulcer, but most important factors are as follows;
- The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori known as H. pylori.
- Long term intakes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen causes ulcer. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the medicines that widely used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
- Increasing the body’s production of acid which is commonly known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
- An infection with the bacteria which normally does not showing any symptoms in human stomach until it becomes severe. The bacteria live in the stomach lining, and people of all ages can be infected.
- Lifestyle factors such as spicy foods, stress and use of alcohol also take part to causes ulcer.
PEPTIC ULCER SYMPTOMS
- Burning sensation or pain
- Severe pain while the stomach is empty
- Discomfort between meals or during the night (duodenal ulcer)
- Discomfort when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
- Pain remain few minutes to several hours long
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unexpected Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Dark stool
- Fatty food intolerance
PEPTIC ULCER COMPLICATIONS
There are multiple complications of untreated ulcer. For instance;
- Untreated Peptic Ulcer may cause internal bleeding and in case of internal slow bleeding patients suffer to anaemia . While severe bleeding may cause black / bloody vomit or stool. Peptic ulcers can block food passage in the digestive tract.
- Untreated ulcer further leads to hole in the tract that is called the perforation.
- A perforated ulcer lets food and digestive juices leak out of the digestive tract and that leaked material enter in the abdominal cavity, putting the risk of serious infection of abdominal cavity (peritonitis). This is called Perforated Peptic Ulcer. It could be Perforated Gastric Ulcer or Perforated Duodenal Ulcer. This is a serious health problem that needs urgent medical attention.
- Perforated ulcers can have serious complications. Such as, Infection of the lining of the abdomen, Bloodstream infection and possible Death.
- Peptic ulcers can block passage of food through the digestive tract, may cause to become full, easily to vomit and lose weight either through swelling from inflammation or scarring.
- Studies have shown that people infected with H. pylori have an increased risk of gastric cancer.
PEPTIC ULCER DIET
- Avoid all kind of spicy foods. Spicy foods can make symptoms of peptic ulcer disease worse.
- Restrict the intake of Sour and unripe citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime, lemon etc.
- Include good sources of fibre in diet plan on daily basis. High fibre contain foods like Vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, nuts, dried beans and peas helps to overcome the symptoms.
- Eat smaller meals at regular intervals.
- Coffee, cigarettes and alcohol aggravate peptic discomfort. So avoid as much as possible.
PEPTIC ULCER TREATMENT
- Eradication of H. pylori is recommended in all patients with peptic ulcer disease.
- Eradication heals most duodenal ulcers and greatly diminishes the risk of recurrent bleeding.
- Treatment of H. pylori infection is more effective than anti-secretory non-eradicating therapy.
Homeopathy has multiple effective medicines that not only eradicate H. Pylori but also helps in prevention for relapse of peptic ulcer. This holistic homeopathic treatment re-establishes normal balance between mucosal protection/repair and aggressive factors that ultimately cure the Peptic Ulcer Disease.