Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic Ulcer Disease
In the end, it is acid that causes the injury to the bowel wall. However, a revolutionary and startling recent Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a very common ailment, discovery is that most peptic ulcers result from a stomach affecting one out of eight persons in the United States.
infection caused by the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori.
The causes of PUD have gradually become clear and with this understanding have come new and better ways Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori)
This funny-sounding name identifies the basic cause of Anatomy and Function of
most peptic ulcers, excluding those caused by aspirin or arthritis drugs. The bacteria has a twisted spiral shape the Stomach
(Helico) and infects the mucous layer lining of the stomach. This is a true infection and produces an The stomach produces a very strong acid. This acid inflammation in the stomach wall called gastritis. The digests and breaks down food before it enters the small body even develops an antibody in the blood against it.
intestine (duodenum). The lining of the stomach is The bacteria is probably acquired through ingesting covered by a thick protective mucous layer which contaminated food or drinking glass. It is only after H.
prevents the acid from injuring the wall of the stomach.
pylori bacteria injures the protective mucous layer of the What Causes Peptic Ulcers?
An ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach Aspirin and Arthritis
or intestine, much like mouth or skin ulcers. Peptic Diagnosis
ulcers are eventually caused be acid and pepsin, a Medications
A diagnosis of peptic ulcers can be suspected from digestive stomach enzyme. These ulcers can occur in Arthritis medications include ibuprofen (Advil), the patient’s medical history. However, the diagnosis the stomach, where they are called gastric ulcers. Or Feldene, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Indocin, Lodine, and many should always be confirmed either by an upper they can occur in the first portion of the intestine others. As with aspirin, they can damage the mucous intestinal endoscopy, which allows direct examination beyond the stomach. These are called duodenal ulcers.
layer of the stomach, after which the stomach acids of the ulcer through a fiberoptic instrument (endoscope), or by a barium x-ray of the stomach.
So, H. pylori and these above drugs are the two major With endoscopy, a biopsy is usually obtained of a factors that bring on ulcers. There is also a small group gastric ulcer to determine if it is malignant and of patients that produces very large amounts of acid uncontrollably, thereby causing ulcers. A stomach cancer may look and act like a peptic ulcer. Finally, some people Treatment
Therapy of PUD has undergone profound changes.
Symptoms
The first has been the development of drugs which suppress stomach acid (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, Ulcers cause gnawing, burning pain in the upper Axid) or even stop it altogether (Prilosec). These abdomen. These symptoms frequently occur several acid-suppressing drugs have been dramatically hours following a meal, after the food leaves the stomach effective in relieving symptoms and allowing ulcers to but while acid production is still high. The burning heal. If an ulcer has been caused by aspirin or an sensation can occur during the night and be so extreme as arthritis drug, then no subsequent treatment is usually to wake the patient. Instead of pain, some patients needed. Avoiding these latter drugs, should prevent experience intense hunger or bloating. Antacids and milk usually give temporary relief. Other patients have no pain The second major change in PUD treatment has but have black stools, indicating that the ulcer is bleeding.
been the discovery of the H. pylori infection. When Bleeding is a serious complication of ulcers. this infection is cleared by antibiotics, the infection and the ulcer do not come back. So, increasingly, In Summary
physicians are not just suppressing the ulcer with the acid-reducing drugs listed above, but they are also The new era of peptic ulcer disease is at hand. With a curing the underlying ulcer problem by getting rid of firm understanding of how ulcers occur, with the potent the bacterial infection. If not, the ulcers invariable acid-suppressing drugs now available, and with the knowledge that peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori can now be cured, the future is indeed bright for patients with There are a number of antibiotic programs ulcers. The physician now has the tools to deal very available now to treat H. pylori. For example, Pepto-Bismol is an active antibiotic against H. pylori PEPTIC ULCER
but must be used in conjunction with other drugs.
The physician will select the best treatment program SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
What Else Can Be Done?
The above factors have altered the approach to ulcers in a dramatic way. Still, many other factors are Caffeine and Alcohol - Both of these simulate the
secretion of stomach acid and should be avoided in Cigarettes - Nicotine will delay the healing of an
ulcer. There are many other good reasons to stop cigarette smoking. Healing an ulcer is one of them.
Antacids - These agents purchased over the counter
can be used for relief of peptic ulcer symptoms.
Except for Pepto-Bismol, they do not help heal ENDOSCOPIC MICROSURGERY ASSOC., P.A.
MARK D. NOAR, M.D. & ASSOCIATES
Therapeutic Endoscopy, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Stress - In the past, stress and emotion were felt to
be a major cause of ulcers. Now it is known that, by itself, stress rarely causes an ulcer although it probably can aggravate the symptoms.
Surgery - Surgery used to be a major form of ulcer
treatment. Now, it is the exceptional patient who needs surgery for an ulcer complication such as perforation, obstruction or uncontrolled Endoscopic
10 Warren Road, Suite 110, Cockeysville, MD 21030 Microsurgery
This material does not cover all information and is not intended as asubstitute for professional medical care.
Associates

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