Peptic Ulcer: Everything You Need to Know

When sores develop on the upper part of your small intestine and on the inner lining of your stomach, doctors detect this condition as peptic ulcers. If you are suffering from a peptic ulcer, you will have a burning sensation in your stomach every time. One of the main causes of peptic ulcer disease is an H. Pylori infection which feeds on the protective lining of your digestive system. Research studies highlight the fact that individuals who are addicted to pain relievers have a higher tendency to develop ulcers.

  

Symptoms

Burning stomach pain is the most common peptic ulcer symptom. The pain gets worse due to the production of stomach acid after eating certain foods. Also, doctors advise peptic ulcer patients not to stay on an empty stomach. Given below are some of the prime symptoms of peptic ulcer:

• Heartburn
• Burning stomach pain
• Consistent bloating and belching
• Feeling of fullness
• Nausea

Sometimes, ulcers can also show severe signs like:

• Vomiting blood
• Black or tarry stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Breathing trouble

Causes

The common causes of peptic ulcers include:

1. Pylori infection: H. Pylori bacteria reside in the mucous layer that protects tissues lining the stomach and small intestine. These bacteria can cause inflammation in the inner lining of your stomach.
2. Use of pain relievers: Those who have the habit of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be careful since these medicines inflame the stomach lining leading to ulcers.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will recommend certain tests to determine if you are suffering from a peptic ulcer. Some of these tests are as follows:

1. Endoscopy: When the symptoms are severe, your medical practitioner will suggest an upper endoscopy to detect if you have an ulcer.
2. Pylori tests: Your doctor may recommend these tests to determine the adverse impact of H. Pylori bacteria in your stomach.

Treatments

When you are suffering from peptic ulcer disease, doctors will suggest the following medications:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): These drugs minimize acid which enables the ulcer to heal. Some commonly used PPIs are namely, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, and Aciphex.
• Histamine receptor blockers: Also referred to as H2 blockers, these drugs minimize acid production and include Zantac, Pepcid, and Tagamet.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics also play a great hand in killing H. Pylori bacteria.

There is a common belief that ulcers are caused by foods you consume and stress factors. However, it’s not the ultimate truth. Mostly, bacteria cause ulcers and medical practitioners can minimize the adverse impact of bacteria with antibiotics and certain other medications.

Helicobacter Infection: Everything You Should Know in 2022

H.Pylori is a kind of bacteria that infects your digestive tract. If left untreated, H. Pylori can lead to sores and ulcers in the stomach lining or the upper portion of your small intestine. Sometimes, it also results in stomach cancer. H. Pylori infection is very common, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. It’s the reason why H. Pylori treatment is common in these countries. Research highlights that about two-thirds of the global population suffer from H. Pylori. For most individuals, H. Pylori infection doesn’t lead to ulcers or any other symptoms. If you suffer from H. Pylori infection, take certain medicines that will kill the germs.

 

Symptoms of H. Pylori infection

You will feel a burning sensation in your belly when you have an ulcer. The pain will come and go, but you will feel the most when the stomach is empty. In most instances, you may sense the pain between meals and in the middle of the night. Generally, these symptoms last for a few minutes or hours. You will feel better after you eat or take an antacid. The symptoms of H. Pylori infection include:

1. Burping
2. Bloating
3. Nausea
4. Feeling full all the time
5. Weight loss for no reason

When ulcers bleed into the stomach or intestines, it can be dangerous for your health. Under such circumstances, you should take medical help immediately for the treatment of H. Pylori. In case you have any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical help right away:

1. Black or dark red stools
2. Breathing trouble
3. Dizziness
4. Pale skin color
5. Vomiting
6. Sharp stomach pain

Treatment for H. Pylori

When you suffer from H. Pylori infection, you need treatment to kill the germs. The medicines will heal your stomach lining and prevent the sores from coming back. Usually, it takes 1 to 2 weeks to get better. However, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t the option as these medicines increase the risk of developing an ulcer. H. Pylori infection can be treated with a combination of acid-reducing proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics:

• Antibiotics: Doctors usually prescribe two antibiotics, namely, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Sometimes, antibiotics like tetracycline and metronidazole are also recommended for Pylori treatment.
• Proton pump inhibitor: The common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole.
• Bismuth subsalicylate: This drug can be added to the proton pump inhibitor combinations and antibiotics. Bismuth subsalicylate comes in handy when it comes to protecting the stomach lining.

Can you prevent H. Pylori infection?

Yes, H. Pylori infection can be prevented if you are careful enough. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of H. Pylori infection:

1. It’s recommended to drink clean water since this is beneficial for your gut health. You should also use pure water while preparing the food.
2. You need to wash your hand with soap and water before eating something and after going to the bathroom.
3. Pylori infection is very common and you don’t have to worry about it. The options for the treatment of H. Pylori are also there. All that you need is to take the necessary medicines. These medicines will reduce the symptoms of H. Pylori infection and can heal the ulcer if you have any. When the symptoms are severe, you have to visit a doctor immediately. He will advise you to undergo an H. Pylori infection test to detect the characteristics of bacteria precisely.

Do You Know the 5 Home Remedies for Gastritis?

When your stomach lining is inflamed due to consuming excess alcohol, overuse of painkillers, and H.pylori stomach bacteria, the condition is referred to as gastritis. The common symptoms of gastritis include vomiting, nausea, and a burning sensation in the abdomen. Those who suffer from gastritis have to avoid certain foods like coffee, milk, spicy and fried items, etc. In recent times, there is no shortage of gastritis treatment, but the key to good health lies in your diet. You can also manage gastritis at home if you follow these tips:

1. Anti-inflammatory diet: When you are suffering from gastritis, you have to consume foods that minimize inflammation. At the same time, you should avoid food items that irritate your stomach lining. It’s advisable to keep a food journal as trigger foods vary from person to person. Given below are some of the foods that are inflammatory in nature and harm your stomach lining:

• Foods with increased gluten content
• Dairy and acidic foods
• Preserved and heavily processed foods
• Foods high in sugar

1. Garlic extract: A research study highlights that 50% of the world’s population have H.pylori bacteria in their stomach. This bacteria strain is the main culprit behind gastritis. If you want to get rid of pylori stomach bacteria, it’s recommended to consume garlic extract. Garlic extract kills H.pylori while freeing your stomach from complications.
2. Probiotics: Probiotics play a significant hand in improving your digestion. It also facilitates regular bowel movements. If you are suffering from gut problems, taking a probiotic supplement will be beneficial. It will inject good bacteria into your digestive tract that prevents the spread of H.pylori and heals your gut. Fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are good sources of probiotics.
3. Green tea with manuka honey: Those who suffer from gastritis can be hugely benefited from drinking green tea with manuka honey. Also, drinking warm water will soothe your digestive tract and make digestion simpler on your stomach. Manuka honey comprises antibacterial properties that prevent the spread of pylori stomach bacteria.
4. Essential oils: When there is H.pylori overgrowth, certain oils have proved to be effective. According to research, lemon verbena and lemongrass oils have a positive impact on resistance to pylori stomach bacteria. However, oils that aren’t approved for human consumption shouldn’t be tested.
5. Have smaller meals: What you eat can be the determining factor in triggering gastritis, but it’s not the only one. How you eat also has a substantial role to play. For gastritis patients, it’s important to make the digestive process simpler for your stomach and intestines. Consuming big meals will put stress on your digestive system. In that case, your digestive system will find it harder to break that food into energy and waste. It’s the reason why eating smaller meals throughout the day reduces the symptoms of gastritis.

When you are a patient, you have to find the root cause of gastritis. This will help you cure the problem. If left untreated gastritis can aggravate upon eating rich foods and excessive drinking. Gastritis can be chronic and a precursor to serious medical complications. You should consult a doctor if home remedies don’t make sense.