PEPTIC ULCER

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INTRODUCTION:

A peptic ulcer is erosion in the lining of the stomach or

duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Pepsin is an enzyme present in

the stomach that breaks down proteins. A peptic ulcer is an ulcer of one of

those areas of the gastrointestinal tract that are usually acidic. Most ulcers

are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in

the acidic environment of stomach. Contrary to general belief, more peptic

ulcers arise in the duodenum, than in the stomach. About 4% of stomach ulcers

are caused by a malignant tumor, so multiple biopsies are needed to make sure.

Duodenal ulcers are generally benign.

 

CLASSIFICATION:

A peptic ulcer may arise at various locations: The ulcer

caused in the Stomach is called gastric ulcer. The ulcer of the Duodenum is

called duodenal ulcer and Esophagus is called esophageal ulcer.

 

SYMPTOMS:

Generally the symptoms of a peptic ulcer can be: abdominal pain,

classically epigastric with severity relating to mealtimes; bloating and

abdominal fullness, water brash, nausea, and sometimes vomiting, loss of

appetite and weight loss; Hematemesis (vomiting of blood); Melena .Rarely, an

ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation. This is extremely painful

and requires immediate surgery. A history of heartburn, gastro esophageal reflux

disease (GERD) and use of certain forms of medication can raise the suspicion

for peptic ulcer.

A gastric ulcer would give epigastric pain during the meal, as gastric acid

is secreted, or after the meal, as the alkaline duodenal contents reflux into

the stomach. Symptoms of duodenal ulcers would manifest mostly before the meal,

when acid (production stimulated by hunger) is passed into the duodenum.

 

CAUSES:

The direct cause of peptic ulcers is the destruction of the gastric

or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric acid, an acid

normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach. Normally the lining of

the stomach and small intestines have protection against the irritating acids

produced in the stomach. For a variety of reasons, the protective mechanisms may

become faulty, leading to a breakdown of the lining. This results in an ulcer.

The most common cause of such damage is infection of the stomach

with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). Most people with peptic

ulcers have this organism living in their gastrointestinal (GI) tract. On the

other hand, many people have this organism living in their GI tract but they

don't get an ulcer. Other factors which activate the cause for ulcer, includes

using aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, drinking alcohol excessively and smoking

cigarettes and using tobacco.

 

DIAGNOSIS:

It is advisable to visit the physician for the diagnosis and seek

medication. To diagnose an ulcer, the doctor will order one of the following

tests:

An upper GI, where a series of x-rays taken after the patient drinks a

substance called barium. An esophago gastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a special test

performed by a gastroenterologist in which a thin tube is inserted through the

mouth into the gastrointestinal tract to look at the stomach and small

intestines.

During an EGD, the doctor may take a biopsy from the wall of the intestines to

test for H. pylori.

The doctor may also order: Stool guaiac cards to test for blood in the stool

Hemoglobin test to check for anemia.

 

TREATMENT:

Treatment often involves a combination of medications to kill

the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, reduce acid levels, and protect the GI tract.

This combination strategy allows your ulcer to heal and reduces the chance it

will come back. Take all of your medications exactly as prescribed. If a peptic

ulcer bleeds a lot, an EGD may be needed to stop the bleeding. If bleeding

cannot be stopped using an EGD procedure or the ulcer has caused a perforation,

then surgery may be required.

 

SELF CARE:

To prevent oneself the severity of ulcer, the patient should

control stress.

Acidic or spicy foods may increase ulcer pain. Stress may increase acid and

slow digestion.

Avoid Smoking as it also increases stomach acid.

Avoid alcohol as the excessive use of alcohol can irritate and erode the

mucous lining in the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation and bleeding.

Avoid non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you use pain

relievers regularly, use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Control acid reflux. If the patient has an esophageal ulcer, usually

associated with acid reflux, he should avoid spicy and fatty foods, avoid

reclining after meals for at least three hours, raise the head of the bed and

reduce the weight.

 

DIET:

The diet is the key for the treatment of peptic ulcer.

Milk, cream, butter, fruits, fresh raw and boiled vegetables, natural foods,

and natural vitamin supplements constitute the best diet.

Hunger denotes acid load, avoid it by taking small meals often.

Avoid full meal, oily diet, pickles and fatty snacks before bed time

Avoid food containing high spices, chilies, pepper, sausages.

Avoid dry bread, cakes and cookies, high fat content nuts and biscuits and

aerated drinks, coffee and tea.

 

HOME REMEDIES:

Banana is one of the most effective home remedies for the treatment of a

peptic ulcer. It neutralizes the over-acidity of the gastric juices and reduces

the irritation of the ulcer by coating the lining of the stomach. Patients who

are in an advanced state of the disease should take a diet consisting only of

two bananas with a glass of milk, three or four times a day.

An infusion of the leaves of wood apple is another effective remedy for this

disease. Fifteen grams of leaves should be soaked overnight in 250 ml of water.

In the morning this water should be strained and taken as a drink. Bael leaves

are rich in tannins which reduce inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers.

Lime is valuable in peptic ulcers. The citric acid in this fruit, together

with the mineral salts present in the juice, help in digestion.

Cabbage is regarded as another useful home remedy for a peptic ulcer: The

juice extracted from raw cabbage is also a valuable medicine for a peptic ulcer.

A tea made from fenugreek seeds is yet another useful remedy for peptic

ulcers.

The leaves of the kalyana murangal tree, which is a variety 'of drumstick

found in South India, have also proved helpful in the healing of ulcers. Ten

grams of the leaves of this tree should be ground into a paste, mixed with half

a cup of yoghurt, and taken daily.

The juices of raw vegetables, particularly carrot and cabbage, are beneficial

in the treatment of peptic ulcers.

Carrot juice may be taken either alone or in combination with spinach, or

beet and cucumber.

Milk prepared from blanched almonds in a blender is very useful as a treatment

for peptic ulcers. It binds the excess of acid in the stomach and supplies high

quality protein.

 

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:

Some of the commonly used medicines for

gastritis and duodenal ulcers are argentum-nit, arsenic-alb, atropine, geranium,

hydrastis, kali-bichrom, merc-cor, ornithogalum, phosphorus, uranium-nit,

terebintha, lycopodium, pulsatilla, graphites, natrum-phos, medorrhinum etc.

 

 

ALSO VISIT http://www.herbsandcures.com

 

With regards,

pushpa.