Ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach (peptic ulcer) or duodenum (gastric ulcer) or oesophagus (gastric ulcer). In a lamn man term, its simply a wound in the gastrointestinal tract. |It’s just as painful as the external wounds we experience and even worse than it since its along the tract with which we eat.
Ulcers Can Be Caused By:
- Helicobacter Pylori (a bacteria)
- Frequent use of Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
- Lifestyle e.g smoking, drinking
- Stress
- Genetic factors
The Symptoms Of Ulcers:
– Abdominal pain & bloating
– Nausea and poor appetite
– Acid reflux or heartburn
– Feeling full when eating.
– Weakness
– Vomiting blood
Diagnosis
- Endoscopy (done using am endoscope)
- GIT x-ray using barium
Treatments:
If you experience any of the symptoms above, its best you visit a physician or the nearest health practitioner.
First line of the treatment is to stop the risk factor; either the cigarette you are smoking or the NSAIDS you are taking, stop its use.
Antacids: These are drugs that neutralize acid in the stomach. Yes. Its necessary to neutralize the acid because the pain we feel most times is as a result of the acid on the sore (imagine that happening on an external wound). Eg are the mist mag suspensions
H2 blockers: okay…let’s see it in a non pharmaceutical way again, the body operates with functionality of the power house aka the brain. The brain is the central processor and it carries out it’s activities using many transmitters.
