MBBS, MD - General Medicine, DM - Gastroenterology, Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopy
Gastroenterologist, Mahabubnagar
•
15 years experience
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What are the causes of peptic ulcer?
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Alcohol can erode the stomach s mucous lining and can increase the amount of produced stomach acids which can lead to an ulcer. Helicobacter pylori bacteria or H. Pylori is the main cause of ulcer which layers and covers the tissues which lines the stomach and small intestine. Sometimes, the helicobacter pylori bacteria can cause inflammation of the inner layer of the stomach and produces an ulcer. Aspirin and other over-the counter pain killer medications can inflame or irritate the lining if the stomach and the small intestine. Avoid drinking alcohol to prevent an ulcer.
What are the symptoms of peptic ulcer:
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The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is burning pain in the abdomen. The pain caused by the ulcer can come from the middle of the abdomen up to the neck and down to the belly button and also through the back. It normally lasts from a few minutes to duration of few hours. Ulcers can also cause indigestion in some. Heartburn feeling is also a common symptom of stomach ulcer. Diagnosis at early stage is essential to avoid further complications. Hence medical intervention is required if symptoms are observed.
Ulcers often lead to serious complications.
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Untreated ulcers can cause serious complications like black or bloody stools, bloody vomit, vomit which looks like coffee grounds. These are the signs which can indicate that the ulcer has eroded through the stomach or has broken a blood vessel. Another possible serious complication is scar tissue development. This can prevent the food from the stomach to move into the small intestine. If the mentioned complications are noticed, immediately consult a doctor.
Antibiotic medications help to kill H. Pylori.
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If H. Pylori is found in our digestive tract, doctor can recommend a combination of antibiotics to kill the bacterium H. Pylori. These may include amoxicillin or Amoxil, clarithromycin or Biaxin, metronidazole or Flagyl, tetracycline or Tetracycline HCL and tinidazole or Tindamax. The antibiotics to be used depend on one s current antibiotic resistance rates. Generally one needs to take antibiotics for a duration of two weeks along with other additional medications to reduce the stomach acid. Make sure of antibiotic resistance rate before consuming antibiotics to cure ulcer.
All ulcers can be healed.
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There are certain ulcers that do not heal by treatment. Peptic ulcers that doesn t respond to treatments are termed as refractory ulcers. There are many reasons due to which an ulcer can fail to heal. These include regular consumption of tobacco, not taking medications as directed, some types of H. Pylori are antibiotic resistant, regular use of pain relievers including aspirin. There can also be an extreme overproduction of stomach acid which prevents an ulcer to heal. Avoid consuming tobacco as it can prevent ulcers from healing.
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