How to Prevent Ulcers
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is a condition characterized by the presence of lesions in the stomach lining. Lesions may occur in the stomach, duodenum or pylorus. You can avoid having peptic ulcer by following these tips.
Tips:
Avoid stressful situations. Stress is an important factor in this disease. When you’re stressed out, the stomach produces more hydrochloric acid. This substance damages the stomach wall. Use relaxation techniques when you’re stressed. An example that you can do wherever you are is taking deep breaths and exhaling slowly. Make sure to get enough rest and sleep.
Don’t eat foods that cause indigestion and increase hydrochloric acid secretion. Try not to eat highly seasoned, rough, greasy, gas-forming and fried foods.
Avoid drinking too much milk and using cream all the time. Although milk provides many benefits for our bodies, it also stimulates acid production. Too much milk will increase the acidity of your stomach.
Drink alcohol moderately. Alcohol releases gastrin, a substance that also stimulates hydrochloric acid secretion.
Have a high-fiber diet. Fiber helps produce mucin, a substance that protects your stomach lining.
Avoid using aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If you need to do so, be sure to take it in small doses. Never take these drugs on an empty stomach.
Don’t smoke. This is important especially if you already have ulcers. Smoking increases the recurrence of ulcers, and slows down wound healing. The chemicals you get from smoking also cause further damage to the stomach lining.
Here are a few things you need to know about Peptic Ulcer Disease.
Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that invades the mucosal wall
Ingestion of certain medications like Aspirin, Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and also steroids.
Stress
Types of Peptic Ulcer Disease:
Duodenal Ulcer
This is caused by hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid.
The lesions are located near the pylorus or in the duodenum.
Males between 30 and 35 years old usually acquire this type of ulcer
Pain occurs 2-3 hours after meals and at night.
Eating, antacids and vomiting relieve pain.
Depending on the severity of the condition, a person may have blood in their stool.
Gastric Ulcer
This occurs most commonly on people older than 55 years old.
Hydrochloric acid secretion may be normal or less than the normal amount.
The lesions are located in the lesser curvatures of the stomach.
People with this condition feel pain a few minutes after eating or on an empty stomach.
Pain is relieved by antacids and through vomiting.
Vomiting blood is common with this condition.
Signs and Symptoms:
The initial sign of this condition is stomach pain. If you frequently experience pain, take note of these factors:
The time it occurred: is it when you were hungry? Maybe right before meals? Or a few hours after? Do you also experience pain at night?
Duration and intensity of pain
Vomiting substance that has a dark and granular characteristic may signal bleeding in the stomach.
A black tarry stool indicates bleeding in the duodenum.
Medications:
Antibiotics kill H. pylori bacterium
Antacids decreases the acidity of the stomach. These should be taken an hour after meals. Diarrhea and constipation are some of the side effects of antacids.
Sucralfate provides protection for your damaged stomach lining and stimulates the release of prostaglandin.
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) impedes the release of hydrochloric acid.
Complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Hemorrhage. Bleeding depends on the degree of damage on the mucosal wall. If left untreated, bleeding may lead to shock.
Perforation. Gastric contents may leak into the peritoneal cavity, causing peritonitis. Watch out for severe persistent pain and boardlike rigidity of the abdomen.
Pyloric obstruction. This may be caused by edema or inflammation.
If you think you might have Peptic Ulcer Disease, consult your doctor immediately. Early treatment will prevent you from having serious complications.