Peptic Ulcers

The most common cause of damage to the mucous lining is infection of the stomach with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). 

Another common cause of ulcers is the use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs block the formation of some prostaglandins are chemicals that normally help protect against ulcers. With less prostaglandins, ulcers are more likely to form.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing a peptic ulcer. Risk factors are:

• Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco (particularly if you are infected with H. pylori)

• Family history

• Drinking alcohol excessively

• Blood type O

• Stress

A rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome causes stomach and duodenal ulcers. Persons with this disease have a tumor in the pancreas. This tumor releases high levels of a hormone that increases stomach acid.

NOTE: The most common causes of peptic ulcers are Helicobacter pylori and Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs

Symptoms
Abdominal pain is a common symptom but it may not always be present. The abdominal pain from peptic ulcers can differ a lot from person to person. For example, the pain may get better or worse after eating a meal.
Other possible symptoms include:
• Nausea
• Vomiting, possibly bloody
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Heartburn, indigestion, belching
• Bloody or dark tarry stools
• Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
• Upper abdominal pain that wakes you up at night

Complications
Complications of a peptic ulcer include the following:
• Perforation: This is where the ulcer goes right through ('perforates') the wall of the stomach. Food and acid in the stomach then leak into the abdominal cavity. This usually causes severe abdominal pain and is a medical emergency.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common complication. A peptic ulcer can erode into the wall of a blood vessel and bleed. If this happens suddenly, you may vomit blood, which may look like coffee grounds (dark brown bits of clotted blood). You might also have dark faeces.
• Gastric outlet obstruction


Prevention
Certain lifestyle choices and habits can reduce your risk of developing peptic ulcers. These include:
• Protect yourself from infections by Helicobacter pylori
• washing your hands frequently to avoid infections
• limiting your use of NSAIDs
• quitting smoking and other tobacco use
• eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• not drinking more than two alcoholic beverages a day
• not mixing alcohol with medication


Treatment Options
You should see a doctor if you have symptoms of an ulcer. Treatment often involves
• A combination of medications to kill the Helicobacter pylori bacteria
• Reducing acid levels
• Protecting the GI tract.
This combination strategy allows your ulcer to heal and reduces the chance it will come back. Take all of your medications exactly as prescribed.