Have you ever felt a heart-burning sensation deep into your bone marrow, like something is eroding your peace inside you? If the answer is yes, then you may have passed with a peptic ulcer.
Peptic ulcer is often overlooked as a common gastrointestinal disease. Peptic ulcer may sound unfamiliar, but it is a common health problem that affects the quality of life for many people.
Ulcers, not just "eating bad stomachs"
Peptic ulcers, which refer to gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are small wounds that occur on the mucous membrane of our digestive tract. These wounds can penetrate the top layer of the stomach or duodenum, causing damage to the underlying tissues. If you compare it to a war, the mucous membranes of the digestive tract are like a wall, and under normal circumstances, this wall can resist the attack of strong acids and digestive enzymes. But when the line of defense is breached, the enemy (stomach acid and digestive enzymes) will begin to destroy the internal tissues, leading to ulcers.
主要罪魁祸首：H. pylori与NSAIDs
1. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) pylori): This microorganism is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. It can survive in an acidic environment and directly disrupt the protective layer of the stomach wall, exposing it to stomach acid.
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): including common anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. Long-term or heavy use of NSAIDs reduces the ability of the stomach lining to produce protective mucus and bicarbonate.
Other reasons
1. Other medications: Medications such as corticosteroids may also increase the risk of developing peptic ulcers.
2. Smoking: Smoking can increase gastric acid secretion, reduce mucosal blood flow, and affect the ulcer healing process.
3. Alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can stimulate gastric acid secretion and directly damage the gastric mucosa, increasing the risk of ulcers.
4. Stress and psychological factors: While stress and psychological factors do not directly cause peptic ulcers, they may worsen symptoms or delay healing.
5. Genetic factors: Individuals with a family history of peptic ulcer disease may be at higher risk.
6. Other factors: Peptic ulcer may also be induced by severe illness, radiation therapy, and physical reactions after surgery.
The formation of peptic ulcer is the result of a multifactorial action, not just a single factor.
Symptoms of peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers can sometimes be silent, but usually they send a clear signal:
1. Pain: Pain in the stomach or upper abdomen is the most common symptom, and sometimes the pain becomes more intense at night.
2. Indigestion: Acid reflux, bloating, and belching may occur frequently.
3. Weight loss: You may eat less due to pain, which can lead to weight loss.
4. Vomiting: In severe cases, vomiting may cause bleeding or coffee-ground-like substances.
5. Black stool: Indicates bleeding, which is an urgent medical condition.
How should we deal with such an enemy?
How is it treated?
1. Medication:
Antacids: These include proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole, lansoprazole) and H2 receptor antagonists (eg, ranitidine, famotidine), which can reduce gastric acid secretion and promote ulcer healing.
Antibiotic treatment: If an infection with Helicobacter pylori causes ulcers, your doctor may prescribe an appropriate antibiotic course to clear the infection.
2. Change your eating habits:
Avoid irritating foods, such as spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, etc., which may stimulate stomach acid secretion and aggravate symptoms.
Eat smaller, more often: Eating small, frequent meals can help reduce the pressure on stomach acid production and relieve ulcer symptoms.
3. Reduce Stress:
Learn to cope with stress: Chronic tension and anxiety can affect the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Reduce stress by learning relaxation techniques, exercising, seeking support, and more.
4. Surgery:
In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair damaged tissue or remove the ulcer if the ulcer bleeds, perforates or doesn't respond to medication.
These recommendations are for informational purposes only and may vary from person to person. If you suspect you have a peptic ulcer, consult your doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment advice.
How to prevent peptic ulcers
1. Avoid overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Long-term or heavy use of NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) may damage the gastric mucosa and increase the risk of peptic ulcer. If NSAIDs must be used, follow your doctor's guidance and follow the correct dosage and duration.
2. Eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection: Helicobacter pylori is one of the common causes of peptic ulcers. If you have been diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection, you should be treated with appropriate antibiotics as recommended by your doctor.
3. Reduce irritating food intake: Spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and certain acidic foods may stimulate stomach acid secretion and increase the risk of ulcers. Minimize or avoid the intake of these foods.
4. Healthy Eating and Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat foods. Avoid overeating and eating small amounts of food and drink often can help reduce the pressure of stomach acid secretion. In addition, it is important to get regular physical activity, manage stress properly, and get good sleep.
5. Manage stress: Long-term stress may affect gastrointestinal function and increase the risk of ulcers. Learning to cope with stress can include deep breathing, meditation, yoga, seeking support, and more.
Again, if you have any concerns or symptoms, please consult your doctor for professional advice and diagnosis.
For patients who already have peptic ulcers, the following points need to be paid special attention to:
- First, take the medicine according to the doctor's instructions, and do not stop the drug or change the dose at will;
- the second is to have regular check-ups to keep abreast of the healing of ulcers;
- the third is to avoid taking drugs that are irritating to the stomach and intestines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Fourth, if you feel unwell, seek medical attention in time to avoid delaying treatment.
Understanding ulcers is for better prevention. Maintaining good hygiene, avoiding unnecessary use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and having regular check-ups, especially screening for H. pylori, are all effective measures to prevent ulcers.