Peptic Ulcer – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Peptic Ulcer – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. In addition,  peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach , lower esophagus, or small intestine (the duodenum), usually as a result of inflammation caused by the H. pylori bacteria , as well as erosion of stomach acids. Peptic ulcers are a very common health problem.

There are three types of Peptic Ulcers :

• Gastric ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the stomach
• Esophageal ulcers: ulcers that develop inside the esophagus
• Duodenal ulcers: Ulcers that develop in the upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

Peptic ulcer  is a sore or sores that develop in the lining of the stomach , lower esophagus, or small intestine. The most common symptom of a Peptic Ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the belly button to the chest. Untreated ulcers can get worse over time and lead to other health conditions.

Causes of Peptic Ulcer: Different factors can cause the stomach lining , esophagus and small intestine to sag. These include:

• Helicobacter pylori:  A bacterium that can cause an infection and inflammation of the stomach ;
• Frequent use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs (the risk associated with this behavior increases in women and people over 60);
• Smoke;
• Drink a lot of alcohol ;
• Radiation therapy;
• Stomach cancer .

Peptic Ulcer Symptoms: The most common symptom of a Peptic Ulcer is burning abdominal pain that extends from the belly button to the chest, which can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain can wake you up at night. Small Peptic Ulcer may not produce symptoms in the early stages.

Other common signs of a Peptic Ulcer include:

• Changes in appetite;
• Nausea;
• Bloody or dark stools;
• unexplained weight loss;
• Indigestion;
• vomiting;
• Chest pain.

Peptic Ulcer Treatments: Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your Peptic Ulcer . If tests show that you have an H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe a combination medication, which you will have to take for up to two weeks. Medications include antibiotics to help kill infections and proton pump inhibitors to help reduce stomach acid .

• You may experience minor side effects, such as diarrhea or an upset stomach , from antibiotic regimens. If these side effects cause significant discomfort or do not improve over time, speak to your doctor.
• If your doctor determines that you don’t have an H. pylori infection, they may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter PPI (such as Prilosec or Prevacid) for up to eight weeks to reduce stomach acid and help your ulcer heal.
• Acid blockers (such as Zantac or Pepcid) can also reduce stomach pain and ulcers. These medications are available as a prescription and also over the counter at lower doses.

Peptic Ulcer Complications: Untreated Peptic Ulcer can get worse over time and lead to other more serious health complications such as:

• Perforation: A hole develops in the lining of the stomach or small intestine and causes an infection. A sign of a perforated ulcer is sudden, severe abdominal pain.
• Internal Bleeding: Bleeding ulcers can result in significant blood loss and therefore require hospitalization. Signs of a bleeding ulcer include vertigo, dizziness, and black stools.
• Scar Tissue: This is thick tissue that develops after an injury. This tissue makes it difficult for food to pass through your digestive tract. Signs of scar tissue include vomiting and weight loss.

Todas as três complicações são emergências médicas que requerem cirurgia. Ligue para o seu médico se sentir tonturas ou se os sintomas retornarem. Procure atendimento médico urgente se você tiver os seguintes sintomas:

• Dor abdominal repentina e afiada
• Desmaio, transpiração excessiva ou confusão, pois estes podem ser sinais de choque
• Sangue em vômito ou fezes
• Abdômen que é difícil de tocar

Prevenções da Úlcera Péptica: Certas escolhas e hábitos de estilo de vida podem reduzir seu risco de desenvolver Úlcera Péptica. Esses incluem:

• Do not drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day
• Not mixing alcohol with medication
• Washing your hands frequently to prevent infections
• Limiting your use of ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and giving up smoking and other tobacco use will also help you to prevent the development of a peptic ulcer .