05/11/2024
What is an ulcer?
Ulcers are sores on the lining of your stomach or small intestine. Sores also could be on your esophagus (throat). Most ulcers are located in the small intestine. These ulcers are called duodenal ulcers. Stomach ulcers are called gastric ulcers. Ulcers in the throat are called esophageal ulcers.
Types of peptic ulcers
Gastric ulcer: It occurs when a sore forms in the lining of your stomach.
Duodenal ulcer: This happens when a sore develops in the upper part of your intestine.
Esophageal ulcer: This is when a sore forms in the lining of your esophagus, which is the tube that carries food and liquid from your throat to your stomach.
About 3 in 10 Nigerians experience the burning, gnawing abdominal pain of a peptic ulcer at some point in life. Duodenal ulcers are more common than stomach ulcers. Esophageal ulcers are more rare and are often a result of certain medications, such as some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, or alcohol abuse.
Ulcer symptoms
Common ulcer symptoms include
Discomfort between meals or during the night (duodenal ulcer)
Discomfort when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
Stomach pain that wakes you up at night
Feel full fast
Bloating, burning, or dull pain in your stomach
Comes and goes days or weeks at a time
The discomfort lasts for minutes or hour
If your ulcer becomes perforated (torn), it becomes a bleeding ulcer. This can cause the following symptoms:
Nausea
Vomiting blood
Unexpected weight loss
Blood in your stool or dark stools
Pain in your back
What causes ulcers?
A bacterial infection called Heliocobacter pylori (H. pylori) is typcially what causes ulcers. Acids from the foods we eat can make the pain and discomfort worse. Long-term use of aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) are also a common cause of ulcers. Stress and spicy foods can make an ulcer worse.
How is an ulcer diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. They may do an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube attached to a camera down your throat and into your stomach. Your doctor will test your blood, breath, or stool for H. pylori. They also can test a sample of your stomach lining. Your doctor also will ask you if you regularly take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medicines.
Can an ulcer be prevented or avoided?
You cannot prevent an ulcer caused by an H. pylori infection. However, you can reduce your risks by limiting aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines. Avoid foods that are acidic (orange juice) and spicy to reduce discomfort. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
You're more likely to get an ulcer while taking NSAIDs if you:
Are over age 65
Are infected with H. pylori bacteria
Take more than one NSAID at a time
Have had a peptic ulcer in the past
Also take a steroid drug or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Be careful when you take pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. Some people who have arthritis or other conditions that cause chronic pain take NSAIDs for weeks or months at a time to ease pain and swelling. These medicines can affect the mucus that protects your stomach against acid and make you more likely to have peptic ulcers.
TREATMENT
One of the best treatment for ulcer is kedi healthcare Reishi, Gastrifort, Colon tea and constilease
