29/01/2024
A lot of people still have misconceptions concerning Ulcer.
Ulcer is not CAUSED by fasting or spicy foods.
It is also not a lifelong illness, it can be healed.
I’ll be answering all the questions you might have in the thread below.
What is Ulcer?
An ulcer is an open sore or hole in the lining of your stomach or duodenum.
This is due to erosion of the mucosal lining that protects the stomach walls.
When the walls are bare, digestive acids and enzymes eat at it, causing ulcers.
What causes Ulcers?
Predominantly 2 things;
• H. Pylori bacteria
People with H. Pylori infection are at increased risk of developing ulcer.
• NSAIDS (Pain medications)
NSAIDS impair the natural ability of the stomach to protect itself against digestive acids.
Other peripheral causes;
• Severe stress;
- Due to an acute illness
- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe burns
• Medications like steroids and bisphosphonates, anticoagulants.
• Zollinger- Ellison syndrome (in rare cases).
How does ulcer present?
There’re normal Ulcer symptoms and ‘alarm’ symptoms.
Normal ulcer symptoms include;
• Gnawing or burning stomach pain
• Night pain relieved by food
• Indigestion
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Weight loss
‘Alarm’ symptoms include
• Blood in stool
• Blood in vomit
• Anemia
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath.
Alarm symptoms show that an ulcer is actively bleeding and should be promptly referred to a doctor.
Ulcer occurs in both the stomach and duodenum.
How are they differentiated?
In Stomach ulcers, the pain starts after food while in duodenal ulcers, the pain is relieved by food.
Stomach ulcers are characterized by vomiting and weight loss but in duodenal ulcers, there’s no vomiting and no weight loss.
Duodenal ulcers are more common than stomach ulcers
You’re at increased risk of ulcer if you;
- Smoke
- Frequently take pain medications
- Have family history of ulcer
How is ulcer diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually through clinical presentation of symptoms.
Your doctor would ask some questions and after initial diagnosis, evaluate for alarm symptoms.
Remember the alarm symptoms?
The most accurate evaluation is using the upper endoscopy method.
It is done by passing a light and camera through the mouth to see the stomach.
Other tests to confirm H. Pylori;
- Stool antigen test
- Urea breath test
- ELISA test
H. Pylori infection increases the likelihood and severity of NSAIDS induced damage.
Does fasting cause ulcer?
Fasting doesn’t cause ulcer. It only triggers ulcer pain.
This means you have to be diagnosed with ulcer before it can be triggered.
Other triggers
- Spicy foods
- Fried foods
- Smoke
- Acute stress
- Too much alcohol
- NSAIDS.
How is ulcer managed?
For people without alarm symptoms and under 55, H.pylori can be eradicated using the triple therapy regimen.
PPIs and antacids are given as maintenance afterwards Alarm symptoms require an endoscopy, this way if bleeding is present, it can be treated.
These symptoms are seen in older people that have been asymptomatic for a while.
It is mostly NSAIDS induced and need a longer treatment time. Lifestyle modification for Ulcer.
- Stop smoking
- Avoid smoke
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid food triggers
- Reduce use of NSAIDS
- Don’t eat 2 hrs before bed
With continuous therapy, adherence and lifestyle adjustments, Ulcers can heal.
What other questions do you have on ulcer?
I’d like to hear them!!!
