Affecting millions of Americans each year, a stomach ulcer is a raw, open area in the normal lining of the stomach. Stomach ulcers get their particular name depending on the exact location of the ulcer. For example, a duodenal or peptic ulcer is a stomach ulcer found in the first foot of small intestines past the stomach. A gastric ulcer in located inside the stomach itself. Although duodenal or peptic ulcers are almost always benign, it is important to remember that gastric or stomach ulcers can be malignant. Close medical management is critical.
A protective layer of mucus producing cells prevent the stomach from being destroyed by normal digestive juices and stomach acids. However, when there is a break in that protective layer trouble can occur. A stomach ulcer occurs when the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach is destroyed by hydrochloric acid, an acid which is normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach.
Another cause of ulcers, particularly gastric and duodenal ulcers, can be a bacterial infection known as Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. The helicobacter pylori bacterium may be transmitted from person to person through contaminated food and water and is treated with antibiotics.
One of the major symptoms of a stomach ulcer is pain, more specifically pain that feels much like a gnawing or burning pain in the middle upper abdomen often occurring some two to three hours after a meal. Often this pain is mistaken for heartburn or even hunger. Pain from a stomach ulcer may awaken you at night and may be relieved with food or milk.
Stomach ulcers are treated with prescription strength medications designed to reduce stomach acid, to protect the stomach lining and to treat the H. pylori bacteria, if it is present.
There are several medications that are commonly used to treat stomach ulcers. If the intent is to reduce stomach acid, then your physician may prescribe medications such as H2-Receptor antagonists like Nizatidine (Axid®), Cimetidine (Tagamet®), Ranitidine (Zantac®), or Famotidine (Pepcid®). Also used to reduce stomach acids are medications called Proton pump inhibitors. These types of medications include Omeprazole (Prilosec®), Esomeprazole (Nexium®), Lansoprazole (Prevacid®), or Pantoprazole (Pantoloc®). Medications used to protect the lining of the stomach include over-the-counter medications such as Rolaids or Tums or medications such as sucralfate, which forms a protective barrier over the site of the ulcer to help it to heal.
Stomach ulcers are certainly painful and can lead to additional complications such as bleeding. They require aggressive treatment directed by your healthcare provider in order to resolve the current ulcer and attempt to prevent future recurrences.
Treatment For Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcer refers to open lesions and ulcerations at the level of the stomach. Statistics indicate that more than two percent of the people in the United States are diagnosed with stomach ulcer each year and it is estimated that around eight to ten percent of these people are at risk of developing various other forms of ulcer over the years. In the United States there are approximately half a million annual cases of stomach ulcer. The disorder has the highest incidence in the male gender, and it predominantly affects people with ages over 50.
Stomach ulcer is considered to be a serious disorder. In the absence of medical treatment, stomach ulcer can lead to complications such as stomach perforation and internal bleeding. There are many forms of treatment for stomach ulcer in present. However, the problem with most medications is that they only provide temporary symptomatic relief, allowing the disorder to reoccur soon after completing the prescribed medical treatment.
Stomach ulcer is a digestive disorder that occurs due to physiological abnormalities (poor stomach production of bicarbonate, poor integrity of the stomach's mucosal protective cover, inappropriate mucosal blood flow, overproduction of pepsin and gastric acid) and infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Although these bacteria are known to be a major cause of stomach ulcer, most doctors neglect this aspect and only prescribe medications for normalizing the stomach's production of digestive fluids. Although antacids and other medications commonly used in the treatment for stomach ulcer can keep the disorder under control, they can't overcome the ulcer completely. Unless the treatment with antacids is followed on a regular basis, the symptoms of stomach ulcer are very likely to reoccur.
One of the most common medications used in the treatment for stomach ulcer is Tagamet. This ulcer drug acts by reducing the levels of gastric acid and pepsin inside the stomach. The problem with Tagamet and other antacids is that they only provide short-term effects. Most people affected by stomach ulcer experience a relapse of the disorder soon after interrupting the treatment with Tagamet.
Since the underlying cause of stomach ulcer is infection with Helicobacter pylori, people with the disorder should also receive a medical treatment with antibiotics. Research results indicate that people with stomach ulcer who have been prescribed a course of antibiotics such as amoxicillin or penicillin have experienced a considerable amelioration of their ulcer. In addition, most people with stomach ulcer who have followed treatments with antibiotics have been permanently cured. Unlike antacids, antibiotics can provide long-term effects for people affected by stomach ulcer, thus minimizing the chances of relapse.
A two-week course of amoxicillin is usually sufficient for overcoming the infection with Helicobacter pylori. Corroborated with antacids, antibiotic treatments can successfully cure stomach ulcers, minimizing the chances of relapse.
Both Jeff Foster & Groshan Fabiola are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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