Peptic ulcers can be found in millions of Americans, many of whom suffer daily from the pain associated with them. In my many years as a nurse, I’ve been through the different wards and specialty care areas in the hospital. I have seen simple illnesses turn into life threatening situations.  Minor illnesses even coughs and fevers can turn into severe medical conditions. Early detection of diseases improves the chances of a patient fully recovering from the illness. Treating peptic ulcers is simple and manageable. Complications of ulcers are easily avoided when treated or detected early.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding

One of the major dangers or complications of peptic ulcer disease is gastrointestinal bleeding. Symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding are hematemesis (vomiting of blood), melena (black tarry stools) and hematochezia (bright colored blood in stools).

A normal healthy person can lose 10 to 15 percent of his blood volume without negative health effects. People who go for blood donations loose 8 to 10 percent of their blood. Blood loss of more than 15 percent is dangerous. A loss of more than 40 percent is critical and life threatening.

Perforation

Another danger of untreated peptic ulcers is perforation. Perforation occurs when ulcers eat through the tissues of the digestive tract and spill to the abdominal cavity. Symptoms perforated ulcers are sudden, sharp and severe pain in the abdominal area. Peritonitis or infection of the peritoneal cavity (lining of the abdomen) happens when gastric content like bacteria enters the abdominal cavity. Hospitalization and surgery is indicated for immediate treatment.

Penetration

Peptic ulcers if left untreated may cause massive tissue damage and leave a hole in the digestive tract. Peritonitis or perforation occurs when gastric contents are spilled in the stomach. In rare cases, ulcers may create an abnormal opening or connection between two organs. A fistula is a medical term meaning a structure which connects two organs. Corrective surgery is done to remove the abnormal opening between the organs.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction

Ulcers may cause scarring and swelling in the digestive tract. Untreated peptic ulcers lead to excessive scarring which causes narrowing or closing in the opening between the stomach and the small intestine. Symptoms for people suffering from gastric outlet obstruction include severe vomiting.

Advancements in medical science have provided doctors newer and faster ways of detecting diseases at their early stage.  It was not long ago when lifestyle habits and eating specific foods where believed to be the major causes of peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers when detected early can be cured with little medical supervision. With the rising cost of healthcare avoiding complications is not just critical but practical.

written by Ronald Uy, RN

© 2009 Hemorrhoid Information Center

Sources:

Complications of peptic ulcers. Retrieved Aug 24, 2009 from NHS UK: http://www.nhs.uk

Peptic ulcer. Retrieved Aug 24, 2009 from MayoClinic.com: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications of Peptic Ulcer. Retrieved Aug 24, 2009 from About.com: GERD/ Heartburn: http://heartburn.about.com

Peptic Ulcers can be painful and annoying for people suffering this disease. This can affect the quality of life of a person and treating or managing ulcer is essential. Management of ulcer is simple and straightforward. Peptic ulcers when detected early can easily be treated at home with little or no medical supervision.

People who suspect they might be suffering from peptic ulcers are advised to visit their physicians for confirmation and treatment. Self-medication is strongly discouraged and consultation with a doctor is the best way of determining proper disease management and treatment.

The main goal for peptic ulcer treatment is the immediate relief of pain in the patient. Treatment includes targeting and identifying the main cause of the disease. Introducing lifestyle changes which aim to halt the progression of the illness is essential for preventing dangerous complications brought about by the disease. Educating patients regarding the signs and symptoms of the disease and proper management and treatment is also given. While preventing the disease is the most important goal in any health disease program, managing and treating the disease takes equal importance.

Managing Ulcers

There are 3 stages in medical treatment. These are the preventive, curative and rehabilitation phases of treatment. Preventing the occurrence of ulcer is done by providing information and educating the population on how to identify symptoms and avoiding the causes of the disease. The main stage of management is the curative stage where patients suffering the disease undergo treatment. The last phase or rehabilitation stage deals with patient recovery and prevention of disease recurrence.

Treating or managing peptic ulcer diseases is done through two processes; medical and non-medical treatment.

Medical treatment

There are two main causative factors for Peptic Ulcer Disease, bacterial infection by Helicobacter pylori or NSAID medications. H. pylori infections account for most of cases and NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) side effects is the other major cause.

Helicobacter pylori Infection

Self-medication is strongly discouraged and it is always important to consult drug treatment with a doctor. Treating patients with H. pylori infection is done through drug medications. When a patient suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease is diagnosed with H. pylori infection doctors prescribe antibiotic and acid suppressing drugs. Antibiotics are given to kill and suppress the proliferation of H. pylori bacteria in infected areas. Acid suppressing drugs are given to inhibit further acid production and reduce signs and symptoms of the disease.

Pain Relief through Medications

NSAID drugs used for pain are also one of the major causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease. Some drugs which may have a harmful side effect are ibuprofen (Advil), Feldene, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Indocin, Lodine, and many others. As with aspirin, they can damage the mucous layer of the stomach, after which the stomach acid causes the final injury. Pain relief drugs are usually prescribed by doctors and are the only medications allowed.

Non-medical treatment and Management

Patients suffering from peptic ulcers can undergo treatment outside a clinic after consulting with their doctors. Lifestyle changes such as proper diet, relaxation and regular intake of medications are the usual mode of treatment and management.

• Eating meals at regular intervals help reduce acid concentrations in the stomach. A small snack before bedtime can relieve pain experienced by peptic ulcer patients. Patients are also advised from over eating because high stomach content triggers acid secretion.
• Try to avoid or manage stressful conditions this is because stress induces acid secretions.
• Avoid smoking as this interferes with wound or ulcer healing.
• Maintain proper diet and avoid food or beverages which upset the gastric mucosa like coffee, tea, colas and alcohol.

Peptic Ulcer Disease can easily be prevented and managed. People who show early signs or symptoms should visit their physicians as soon as possible. Any illness should never be taken lightly as this could progress to severe complications and life threatening emergencies. Getting an annual medical checkup remains the best way of detecting diseases and gives the best chance of treatment. Any illness such as Peptic Ulcers can be managed and treated if detected early.

written by,

Ronald Uy, RN

©2009 Hemorrhoid Information Center

Sources:

H. pylori and Peptic Ulcer. Retrieved Aug 23, 2009 from National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC):

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/diseases

Peptic Ulcer. Retrieved Aug 23, 2009 from NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk

Peptic Ulcer Disease Information. Retrieved Aug 23, 2009

Peptic Ulcer Disease is a medical condition wherein an individual develops ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. Peptic Ulcers usually develop in the duodenum or the first part of the small intestine. This disease is characterized by ulcers or open wounds which develop in the gastrointestinal tract. The ulcer is equal to 0.5cm or greater in diameter. Pain in Peptic Ulcers is caused when acid comes in contact with the wound or ulcer.

Every year more and more Americans suffer from a medical condition called Peptic Ulcer Disease or PUD. It is estimated that one out of ten Americans or 25 million out of the total population are affected by the disease at one point in their life. Peptic Ulcers are often ignored or brushed aside as simple stomach pains. They are often neglected until they develop life threatening complications. Peptic Ulcers are easy to manage and require no special medical attention when detected early.

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the main causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease

Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of Peptic Ulcer Disease. H. pylori infection accounts for 60% of all Peptic Ulcer development. Chronic infection causes increased secretion of gastric acids which breaks down tissue linings and mucosa. If left untreated acid secretions produce ulcers or wounds in tissues. Pain associated with Peptic Ulcer disease is attributed to damaged tissues coming in contact with acids.

Regular intake of medicines such as aspirin or NSAID’s (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) is also a major cause of Peptic Ulcers. NSAIDS are drugs which are taken for pain-relief. Patients suffering from ulcer pain take in these drugs to relieve pain but unknowingly aggravate the disease. People suffering from peptic ulcers should first consult their doctors before taking any medications specially those for pain relief.

Peptic Ulcer Disease Signs and symptoms

• Dull, Gnawing pain and a burning sensation in mid-epigastria or in the back
• Pain that is usually relieved by taking in food or antacids. Pain usually returns when antacids wear off or stomach is empty
• Heartburns (pyrosis) and burning sensations in the esophagus and stomach.
• Nausea and vomiting are also tell-tale signs of Peptic Ulcers. Acid build-up in the esophagus and stomach may cause a bloated feeling. Pain is relieved with ejection of gastric contents.
• Black tarry stools (melena) or dark colored stools which indicate dried blood in ones feces may indicate peptic ulcer disease. Bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract causes this condition.
• Presence of bright blood (Hematochezia) in the stools. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the causes for the presence of blood in stools.

Peptic Ulcer Disease if left untreated may give rise to life-threatening conditions. Major complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease are gastrointestinal bleeding, pyloric stenosis, perforation, gastric outlet obstruction and penetration.

Common Misconceptions about Peptic Ulcers:

• Contrary to popular belief peptic ulcers usually develop in the duodenum and not the stomach
• Food rich in acids are contributory factors in disease development but is not a major factor
• Stress certainly increases acid content in the stomach but only increases incidence of pain
• Taking in milk to relieve pain might only increase acid content in the stomach. Lactic acid is the by produced by milk and therefore increases acid levels in the stomach.
• Some NSAID’s such as aspirin are not advised for people suffering from Peptic Ulcer Disease.

Peptic ulcers are often dismissed as simple inconveniences in day to day life. Major diseases are brought about by complications of everyday illnesses. Prevention and education is always the best way of treating or avoiding diseases. Illnesses should always be consulted with a doctor or healthcare provider. Early diagnosis of the disease gives the best chance of recovering from it. Self-medication or treatment is discouraged as medicines often give more harm than benefits. Only licensed physicians may prescribe medications. The cost of today’s healthcare is proving to be more and more expensive. If you feel that you maybe suffering from Peptic Ulcer it is always best to visit your physician or local clinic.

writtren by,

Ronald Uy, RN

© 2009 Hemorrhoid Information Center

Sources:

Peptic Ulcers. Retrieved August 22, 2009 from eMedicineHealth. http://www.emedicinehealth.com

Peptic Ulcer. Retrieved August 21, 2009 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org

Peptic Ulcer Disease. Retrieved August 22, 2009 from MSN Health and Fitness: http://health.msn.com

Peptic Ulcer. Retrieved August 22, 2009 from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/