Stomach Ulcer
Treatment for a Stomach Ulcer
Special diets have minimal impact on the prevention or treatment of stomach ulcers. Treatment options include:
- Medication: This may include antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori bacteria and drugs to expedite healing. Multiple drugs are often needed, which can cause side effects like diarrhea and rashes. Despite growing antibiotic resistance, 80% of treatments are successful.
- Follow-up Breath Tests: These are used to confirm that the H. pylori infection has been eradicated.
- Adjusting Current Medications: Doses of arthritis medications, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory drugs may be adjusted to lessen their contribution to stomach ulcers.
- Acid Reduction: Tablets are available to decrease the acid content in gastric juices.
- Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking is important since it weakens the stomach’s natural defenses and hinders healing.
What is a Duodenal Ulcer?
Duodenal ulcers, a common cause of abdominal pain, typically heal within weeks once treated. A duodenal ulcer is a sore in the lining of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, which follows the stomach in the digestive process. Both stomach and duodenal ulcers are types of peptic ulcers, collectively referred to as ‘peptic ulcer disease’.
Duodenal Ulcer Treatment
- H. pylori Infection: Treatment usually involves ‘triple therapy’—two antibiotics and a medicine to reduce stomach acid.
- Non-H. pylori Cases: If caused by anti-inflammatory drugs, stopping these drugs (if possible) and taking acid-reducing medication is necessary.
- Symptom Relief: Antacids, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking can help. Additionally, minimizing hot drinks, fatty foods, spicy foods, and acidic foods (like tomatoes) can provide relief.
Causes of Duodenal Ulcers
- H. pylori Infection: This bacteria damages the mucus barrier protecting the duodenum, leading to ulcers.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin can cause ulcers.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress may increase the risk, but infection with H. pylori is a more significant factor.
Symptoms of a Duodenal Ulcer
- Indigestion
- Feeling very full and bloated after eating
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Pain may be relieved by eating or taking an antacid. Severe complications, like sharp stomach pain or bloody vomit/stools, require immediate medical attention.
Preventing Duodenal Ulcers
Good hygiene can help prevent H. pylori infection, which is often acquired in childhood but can also occur in adults.
Complications of Duodenal Ulcers
Untreated ulcers can worsen, causing complications like hemorrhage, obstruction of food leaving the stomach, or perforation of the duodenal wall, all of which need emergency treatment.
Treatment for Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers)
- Healing Peptic Ulcers: Doctors typically recommend proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and other medications.
- Treating Causes: Managing underlying causes helps in healing and preventing recurrence. For H. pylori infection, a combination of antibiotics and PPIs is often prescribed. It is crucial to complete the full course of medication to avoid antibiotic resistance. Follow-up testing is recommended to ensure the infection is fully treated. If H. pylori persists, a different combination of antibiotics and medications may be prescribed.
FAQ?
Symptoms include burning stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, nausea, and in severe cases, vomiting blood or black stools.
Diagnosis is typically made through endoscopy, blood tests, stool tests, and sometimes breath tests to detect H. pylori infection.
Treatments include antibiotics for H. pylori infection, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, antacids, and lifestyle changes such as avoiding NSAIDs, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake.