There is no clear evidence that modern life’s stress or a steady diet of fast food causes stomach and small intestine ulcers, but they are still common in our society: one out of every ten Americans will experience the burning, gnawing abdominal pain of a peptic (or gastric) ulcer at some point in their lives.
Peptic ulcers are holes or cracks in the protective lining of the duodenum (the upper section of the small intestine) or the stomach, which are in touch with stomach acids and enzymes. Duodenal ulcers occur more frequently than stomach ulcers.
Esophageal ulcers are very uncommon, forming in the oesophagus (or swallowing tube) as a result of pharmaceutical exposure, such as some antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, or alcohol addiction.
Until the mid-1980s, conventional thinking held that ulcers were caused by stress, a hereditary proclivity for increased stomach acid output, and bad living practises (including overindulging in rich and fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco). It was thought that such impacts lead to the accumulation of stomach acids, which destroy the protective lining of the stomach, duodenum, or oesophagus.
While increased stomach acid output undoubtedly contributes to the formation of ulcers, a relatively new viewpoint contends that bacterial infection is the major cause of peptic ulcers. Indeed, studies undertaken since the mid-1980s have revealed that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is present in more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and around 80% of stomach ulcers. However, new data show that such numbers are dropping.
Other variables appear to contribute to ulcer development, particularly in people infected with H. pylori:
Other research indicates that stomach ulcers are more common in elderly persons. This might be due to:
People with type A blood are also more prone to develop malignant stomach ulcers for unknown reasons.
Duodenal ulcers are more common in patients with type O blood, presumably because they lack the material on the surface of blood cells that protects the duodenal lining.
DIAGNOSTICS
If your doctor suspects you have a peptic ulcer, they will most likely begin with a physical exam and certain tests:
TREATMENT
If you have a peptic ulcer, your doctor will propose a treatment strategy based on the source of the problem:
Lifestyle changes can help, too. You might need to:
After treatment, your doctor may want to keep a close eye on you, depending on:
If left untreated, an ulcer can lead to significant complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Untreated ulcers can potentially cause a hole in your stomach, which may require surgery to repair.
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