Peptic Ulcer
Peptic Ulcer
refers
to an eroded lesion in the gastric intestinal mucosa.
An ulcer may form
in any part of the digestive tract which is exposed to
acid gastric
juice, but is usually found in the stomach and the
duodenum. The ulcer
located in the stomach is known as gastric ulcer and
that located in
the duodenum is called a deudenal ulcer. Usually, both
are grouped
together and termed peptic ulcer.
Symptoms
The most
common
symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain
and discomfort in
the upper central abdomen. The pain is commonly
described as burning or
gnawing in character. Gastric ulcer pain usually
occurs an hour after
meals, but rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pan
usually occurs between
meals when the stomach is empty and is relieved by
food, especially
milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets
the sufferer out of
bed between 2 and 4 a.m.
As the
disease
progresses there is distension of the stomach due to
excessive
flatulence, besides mental tension, insomnia and a
gradual weakening of
the body. It may also cause constipation with
occasional blood in the
stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is anemia.
Causes
Peptic
ulcers result
from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an
increase in
hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This strong acid,
secreted by the
cells lining the stomach, affects much of the
breakdown of food. It can
be potentially dangerous and, under certain
circumstances, it may eat
its way through the lining of the stomach or
duodenum producing, first,
irritation of the stomach wall and eventually an
ulcer.
Dietetic
indiscretion, like overeating, consuming of heavy
meals or highly spiced
foods, coffee, alcohol and smoking are the main
factors contributing to
this condition. The ingestion of certain
medications, particularly aspirin,
food poisoning, infections like influenza and
septicemia and gout may
also cause ulcers. Emotional stress or nervous
tension also plays a
major role in the formation of ulcers.
Treatment
|