Causes and Symptoms of Gastric Ulcer - What is the Solution?

Monday 3 October 2011

A peptic ulcer is erosion in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). If the peptic ulcer is located in the stomach, it is called a gastric ulcer.
  
Normally, the lining of the stomach and small intestines are protected against the corrosive acids produced in our stomach by a natural mucus defense barrier. If this protective lining stops working correctly, and breaks down, it results in inflammation (gastritis) or an ulcer.

 What Causes Gastric Ulcers?
  
The most common cause is infection of the stomach by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). Once infected, the infection usually stays with the person for the rest of his life, unless it's treated.  Doctors think H.pylori may be spread through unclean food or water, or by mouth-to-mouth contact such as kissing.
  
In many people, H.pylori doesn't cause any problem and they just live harmlessly in the lining of the stomach and duodenum. However, in some people this bacterium causes an inflammation in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. This causes the defence mucus barrier to be disrupted (and in some cases the amount of acid to be increased) which allows the acid to cause inflammation and ulcers.
  
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the second most common cause of peptic ulcers. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen which are used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in our body. But not everyone who takes NSAIDs gets a peptic ulcer. Ulcers caused by NSAIDs are more often found in people who:
  • are age 60 or older
  • are female
  • have taken NSAIDs for a long time
  • have had an ulcer before

Other causes of peptic ulcers are rare. One rare cause is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Persons with this disease have a tumor in the pancreas that releases high levels of a hormone, which causes an increase in stomach acid.
  
Stress or spicy food do not cause peptic ulcers, but like alcohol and smoking, they can make ulcer symptoms worse.
What are the Symptoms of Gastric Ulcers?

Burning pain is the most common symptom. The pain is caused by the ulcer and aggravated by stomach acid coming in contact with the ulcerated area. The pain typically may:
- Be felt anywhere from your navel up to your breastbone
- Be worse when your stomach is empty
- Flare up at night
- Often be temporarily relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking acid-reducing medication
- Disappear and then return for a few days or weeks

Less often, ulcers may cause severe signs or symptoms such as:
- The vomiting of blood - which may appear red or black
- Dark blood in stools or stools that are black or tarry
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Appetite changes - feeling of fullness, or hunger 1 to 3 hours after a meal
- Fatigue

Can Antacids or Milk Help Gastric Ulcers Heal?

Not really. While antacids may make ulcer pain go away for awhile, they won't kill the H.pylori bacteria. Likewise, doctors now know that while milk may make ulcers feel better briefly, it also increases stomach acid. Too much stomach acid makes ulcers worse.

How Do I Prevent Gastric Ulcer?

Tips to prevent ulcers caused by H.pylori infection include:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating
- Eat properly prepared food
- Drink water from a clean, safe source

Tips to prevent ulcers caused by NSAIDs include:
- stopping NSAIDs, if possible
- take NSAIDs with a meal
- use a lower dose of NSAIDs
- consult a doctor about medicines to protect your stomach and duodenum while taking NSAIDs or switch to a medicine that won't cause ulcers
(Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001255/
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pepticulcers_ez/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peptic-ulcer/DS00242/DSECTION=symptoms)
What Can I Take For My Gastric Ulcer?
  

Many people find the consumption of Jia Hor Soya Protein, Bee Pollen and Lingzhi have significantly improved their gastric problems.
Click on the respective links below to find out more. Or you may email me at laifuiping@gmail.com to buy. Click here to refer to Shuang Hor company website for Product Description and Price.

Related articles:
http://naturalhealthandbeauty101.blogspot.com/2011/09/top-5-functions-and-benefits-of-soya.html
http://naturalhealthandbeauty101.blogspot.com/2011/09/re-energize-your-life-with-bee-pollen.html
http://naturalhealthandbeauty101.blogspot.com/2011/10/is-lingzhi-effective-against.html