Can Peptic Ulcer Be Cured

Cure : Foods For Stomach Ulcers

Foods for Ulcer, Weird isnt it? Yes, foods could actually prevent/cure Stomach Ulcer. One could say the primary culprit in the case of stomach ulcers could be narrowed down to food and food habits. Eating certain foods such as foods that contain nitrates could fuel your infection. However, eating certain foods could also help you prevent and even cure your stomach ulcer.

Antacids And H2 Blockers

Antacids

Antacids neutralize existing acid in the stomach. Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Amphojel are safe and effective treatments. However, the neutralizing action of these agents is short-lived, and frequent dosing is required. Magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox and Mylanta, can cause diarrhea, while aluminum containing agents like Amphojel can cause constipation. Ulcers frequently return when antacids are discontinued.

H2 blockers

Studies have shown that a protein released in the stomach called histamine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Histamine antagonists are drugs designed to block the action of histamine on gastric cells and reduce the production of acid. Examples of H2 blockers are cimetidine , nizatidine , and famotidine . While H2 blockers are effective in ulcer healing, they have a limited role in eradicating H. pylori without antibiotics. Therefore, ulcers frequently return when H2 blockers are stopped.

Will Surgery Cure A Peptic Ulcer

Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person can’t take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.

Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:

• Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
• Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach . This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
• Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
• Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.

Read Also: How Do You Know If You Have A Stomach Ulcer

Reducing Stomach Acid Levels

H. Pylori eats away at your stomach lining, a mucus layer that protects your stomach wall from the corrosive acid that aids digestion. If the lining becomes weak enough, the acid can breach it and damage the stomach wall, creating an ulcer. The ulcer will cause pain whenever stomach acid comes in contact with it and can lead to bleeding and other complications.

A number of different drugs target stomach acid rather than the bacteria directly. If acid levels are reduced, the ulcers can heal on their own. There is still a significant chance of recurrence, though, because H. Pylori could cause the same issue to develop again.

Guided Meditation For Peptic Ulcers

The mind is a tool developed for our survival. You are not the mind, nor the body but rather one that can perceive the mind and the body. However, one is now constantly wagged around by the mind and its fears and desires. Often we find ourselves trampled in a parade of thoughts and washed around in a flood of emotions. Meditation is simply the process of returning Home to our true nature as the witnessing consciousness in which arise all thoughts and emotions. It is merely the fragrance of Being Human.

Meditation cannot be done, it will happen once we stop doing everything and anything. Now is all that exists, all else is merely grasping at the wind hoping to change things that are generally way beyond our control.

Talking about meditation and whether you believe you can do it or not, is pointless. When we rise above our mind, emotions and body, meditation will happen. Simply listening and following is enough. Meditation is in our very nature, and it happens for us all. Behind all those thoughts is a Witness. You are that Witness.

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Recommended Reading: Nutritionist Specializing In Ulcerative Colitis

What Is The Cause Of Peptic Ulcers

When you eat, your stomach produces hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food.

• The food is partially digested in the stomach and then moves on to the duodenum to continue the process.
• Peptic ulcers occur when the acid and enzyme overcome the defense mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract and erode the mucosal wall.

In the past it was thought that ulcers were caused by lifestyle factors such as eating habits, cigarettesmoking, and stress.

• Now it is understood that people with ulcers have an imbalance between acid and pepsin coupled with the digestive tract’s inability to protect itself from these harsh substances.
• Research done in the 1980s showed that some ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium named Helicobacter pylori, usually called H pylori.
• Not everyone who gets an ulcer is infected with H pylori. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause ulcers if taken regularly.

Some types of medical therapy can contribute to ulcer formation. The following factors can weaken the protective mucosal barrier of the stomach increasing the chances of getting an ulcer and slow the healing of existing ulcers.

• Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , and newer anti-inflammatory medications
• Alcohol
• Cigarettesmoking
• Radiation therapy:-used for diseases such as cancer

People who take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications are at an increased risk even if they do not have H pylori infection.

How Peptic Ulcers Are Treated

• Living With Peptic Ulcers

A peptic ulcer is a sore or lesion that forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. Peptic ulcers are caused by Helicobacter pylori , a bacterium that lives in the mucous lining of the stomach and intestine. Symptoms of these ulcers include pain, discomfort, heartburn, nausea, or gas, though some people may not experience any symptoms at all.

Treatment of peptic ulcers include antibiotics to clear H. pylori, prescription and over-the-counter medicines to manage symptoms, and lifestyle modifications to help ulcers heal.

A peptic ulcer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tract issues seen by healthcare providers an estimated 5% to 10% of all people will experience one in their lifetime.

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Stomach Ulcers And Duodenal Ulcers

“Peptic ulcer” is the general term for ulcers that occur in the stomach, duodenum, and esophagus. Peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach, or just below the stomach in the duodenum , and less often just above the stomach in the lower esophagus. Peptic ulcer in the stomach is also called stomach ulcer and gastric ulcer. Peptic ulcer in the duodenum is called duodenal ulcer.

The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is dull or burning stomach pain often occurring during an empty stomach . The pain comes and goes for several days or weeks and is temporarily relieved with antacids. Other symptoms include weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, burping, vomiting, feeling sick to your stomach.

Ulcers are not caused by stress and spicy foods, but often make ulcers difficult.

Key Points About Stomach And Duodenal Ulcers In Children

• Stomach and duodenal ulcers are open sores. They happen in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum.

• Most ulcers are caused by an infection with Helicobacter pylori.

• Treatment often includes antibiotics and medicines to block stomach acid production.

• Without proper treatment, people with ulcers may have serious complications. But most people are cured with treatment.

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What Problems Can A Ct Scan Show

A CT scan can detect bone and joint problems, such as complex fractures and tumors of the bones. CT scans can help doctors identify diseases such as cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and liver masses, which can be treated with medication. An example of this would be bleeding caused by a car accident, which shows internal injuries.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Peptic Ulcer Disease And H Pylori Infection

Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 15 91:236-242.

Patient information: See related handout on H. pylori and stomach ulcers, written by the authors of this article.

• References

Dyspepsia is characterized by epigastric pain, discomfort, or a burning sensation.1 An important cause of dyspepsia is peptic ulcer disease , which includes gastric and duodenal ulcers. Although PUD is most commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , other diagnoses should be considered .

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Use the test-and-treat strategy for patients with dyspepsia who are younger than 55 years and have no alarm symptoms for gastric cancer. Use endoscopy for all other patients.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

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What Are The Symptoms Of Stomach And Duodenal Ulcers In A Child

Ulcers dont always cause symptoms.

The most common symptom is a gnawing or burning pain in the stomach. This is often felt between the breastbone and the belly button . Your child may feel the pain more between meals and in the early morning. It may last from a few minutes to a few hours.

Less common ulcer symptoms include:

• Anemia

• Weight loss

• Tiredness and weakness

The symptoms of ulcers may look like other health problems. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

When Should I Call The Doctor

• sudden, sharp, lasting belly pain
• bloody or black bowel movements
• bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

These could be signs of a serious problem for a child whos had a peptic ulcer, such as:

• perforation
• bleeding
• obstruction

If your child takes NSAIDs and shows signs of a peptic ulcer, get medical help right away. Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to more problems and, possibly, the need for surgery. But with quick treatment, almost all peptic ulcers can be cured.

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Can Stomach Ulcer Be Cured

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Video Answer: Dr Becker On Corneal Ulcers

Causes of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Dogs.

If there is an excess of acid and pepsin or a breakdown in protection for the Stomach and intestine, an ulcer will form.

Without treatment, there is the risk of perforation of the ulcer, which can quickly lead to septic peritonitis and death.

While we tend to blame stress and anxiety for these ulcers, there is also an infectious component to gastric ulcers in humans.

Smoking and alcohol consumption can also play a role in people.

In dogs, the primary culprit is Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs .

Are there any potential side effects? Side effects include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, sores in the mouth, hair loss, or eye ulcers.

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What If A Peptic Ulcer Doesn’t Heal

Most often, medicines heal a peptic ulcer. If an H. pylori infection caused your peptic ulcer, you should finish all of your antibiotics and take any other medicines your doctor prescribes. The infection and peptic ulcer will heal only if you take all medicines as your doctor prescribes.

When you have finished your medicines, your doctor may do another breath or stool test in 4 weeks or more to be sure the H. pylori infection is gone. Sometimes, H. pylori bacteria are still present, even after you have taken all the medicines correctly. If the infection is still present, your peptic ulcer could return or, rarely, stomach cancer could develop. Your doctor will prescribe different antibiotics to get rid of the infection and cure your peptic ulcer.

What Tests May Be Done

• Gastroscopy is the test that can confirm a duodenal ulcer. In this test a doctor or nurse looks inside your stomach and the first part of your small intestine . They do this by passing a thin, flexible telescope down your gullet . They can see any inflammation or ulcers.
• A test to detect the H. pylori germ is usually done if you have a duodenal ulcer. If H. pylori is found then it is likely to be the cause of the ulcer. Briefly, it can be detected in a sample of stool , or in a breath test, or from a blood test, or from a biopsy sample taken during an endoscopy. See the separate leaflet called Helicobacter Pylori for more details.

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What Is A Peptic Ulcer

A peptic ulcer is a break in the inner lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum. A peptic ulcer of the stomach is called a gastric ulcer of the duodenum, a duodenal ulcer and of the esophagus, an esophageal ulcer. Peptic ulcers occur when the lining these organs is eroded by the acidic digestive juices that the cells of the lining secrete of the stomach secrete. A peptic ulcer differs from an erosion because it extends deeper into the lining and incites more of an inflammatory reaction from the tissues that are involved, occasionally with scaring. Peptic ulcer also is referred to as peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcer disease is common, affecting millions of Americans yearly. Moreover, peptic ulcers are a recurrent problem even healed ulcers can recur unless treatment is directed at preventing their recurrence. The medical cost of treating peptic ulcer and its complications runs into billions of dollars annually. Recent medical advances have increased our understanding of ulcer formation. Improved and expanded treatment options now are available.

Treatment For A Duodenal Ulcer

If your ulcer is caused by H pylori, the usual treatment is ‘triple therapy’. This involves taking 2 antibiotics to kill the bacteria, and a medicine to reduce the amount of acid made by your stomach.

If you don’t have an H. pylori infection, and you have been using anti-inflammatory drugs, you will need to stop taking them and to start taking a drug to reduce acid production by your stomach.

Taking antacids, drinking less alcohol, and quitting smoking if you smoke may also help.

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When Should You Call Or See A Doctor

If you think you have a stomach ulcer, call your doctor. Together you can discuss your symptoms and treatment options. If you dont already have a physician, you can use the Healthline FindCare tool to find a provider near you.

Its important to get a stomach ulcer taken care of because without treatment, ulcers and H. pylori can cause:

• bleeding from the ulcer site that can become life-threatening
• penetration, which occurs when the ulcer goes through the wall of the digestive tract and into another organ, such as the pancreas
• perforation, which occurs when the ulcer creates a hole in the wall of the digestive tract
• obstruction in the digestive tract, which is due to swelling of inflamed tissues
• stomach cancer, specifically

Symptoms of these complications can include those listed below. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to call you doctor right away:

• weakness

How Do Doctors Treat An Nsaid

If NSAIDs are causing your peptic ulcer and you dont have an H. pylori infection, your doctor may tell you to

• stop taking the NSAID
• reduce how much of the NSAID you take
• switch to another medicine that wont cause a peptic ulcer

Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to reduce stomach acid and coat and protect your peptic ulcer. Proton pump inhibitors , histamine receptor blockers, and protectants can help relieve pain and help your ulcer heal.

Read Also: Signs Of Ulcers In Humans

Complications Of Peptic Ulcers

Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in severe complications and emergencies.

• Internal bleeding You can have bleeding in your stomach, esophagus, or duodenum when the ulcer opens a blood vessel. Ulcers can cause bleeding that occurs slowly over time or quickly, possibly resulting in hemorrhaging that can be life-threatening due to shock. Sometimes you may not notice a bleeding ulcer until you become anemic, a condition in which your body lacks red blood cells because of inadequate iron. This occurs when ulcers cause chronic, low-grade blood loss.
• A hole, or perforation, in the stomach wall You can develop a perforated ulcer, which means it has eaten through your stomach or intestinal wall.
• Obstruction This is when you have swelling or scarring related to your ulcer that is preventing your food from being digested properly.

The signs that you are having an ulcer emergency are:

• Blood in stool
• Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Increasing pain
• Mental confusion
• Severe abdominal distension

If you think you or someone you know is having an ulcer emergency, seek immediate medical attention.