PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) – Treat it before it eats into you!

 

The incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and its complications varies across the world and has fluctuated considerably with the discovery of H. pylori as a major Etiological factor in the disease pathogenesis, as well as the increasing use of NSAIDs.

 

There is a rapid increase in its prevalence at the turn of the 20^th century. About 10% of the population suffers from Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD).

 

What is Peptic Ulcer?

Peptic Ulcer is an open sore or a break with a burning sensation. The origin of the word “peptic” has its root cause in acid. It means that the problems arise due to acid. It develops on the inner lining of the stomach or upper portions of the small intestine. These are serious lesions of the stomach or intestines.

Duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer are the two most common types of peptic ulcers. Depending on the locations where these ulcers are found, the ulcers are named accordingly. 

Gastric Ulcer: Occurs in the inner wall of the stomach.

Duodenal Ulcer: Occurs inside duodenum which is the first part of the small intestine.

 It may be noted that a person can experience both gastric and duodenal ulcers at the same time.

 

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer

It is surprising to learn that many people with ulcers exhibit no symptoms at all. But on the other hand some people with an ulcer may show following:

The most common symptom of Peptic Ulcer Disease is burning pain in the abdomen that extends from the belly button to the chest bone. The pain can be mild in the case of small peptic ulcers. But, at times, it can be severe and intolerable leading to sleepless nights.

                  Commonly encountered signs of PUD are listed:

o  Epigastric Pain: It is the pain that evolves in the upper abdomen region of the body. The epigastric region is an area where the abdominal muscle and the diaphragm produce an outward bulging of the abdominal wall.

o  Belching: Commonly known as burping is the release of gas from the upper digestive tract i.e. stomach through the mouth. Feeling of fullness or bloating occurs.

o  Fatty food intolerance

o  Poor Appetite

o  Unexplained weight loss

 

o  Nausea

o  Vomiting

o  Bloody or dark stools

 

Causes of Peptic Ulcer

 There are multiple factors responsible for the breakdown of the inner stomach lining or duodenum. These include:

§  Helicobacter Pylori (H.pylori): It is a kind of bacterial infection that causes stomach pain and inflammation.

 

 

§  Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): A category of drugs for pain relief, blood clot prevention, and fever reduction. Regular intake of these can lead to gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeds.

§  Tobacco Smoking

§  Crohn's Disease: It is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that affects any portion of the gastrointestinal tract that starts from mouth to anus. Symptoms consist of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and weight loss.

§  Excess consumption of spicy food.

 

Besides, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa also cause peptic ulcers

 

Diagnosis/ Treatment

 

Every problem has an existing solution.

The typical way to diagnose ulcers is through endoscopy. Besides, other ways in which ulcers can be diagnosed are with the barium swallow or upper GI series.

 

Treatment of peptic ulcers is often successful which leads to healing.

Prevention

 

By quitting tobacco products, and saying no to smoking cigarettes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a proper balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains will help in preventing the development of peptic ulcer. Moreover, avoiding alcohol and limiting the use of pain killers, coupled with meditation and exercising will keep peptic ulcer at bay!

Of-course, you can always consult a doctor online in the event of any necessity and have get yourself treated!

 

                 

                     Looking for Medical Advice?

See a Specialist

A gastroenterologist is an expert in digestive health and issues related to the stomach, intestines, and bowels, but also include a number of other organs related to the entire digestive tract.

Why Online Gastroenterologists consultations becoming trendy now?

 

v Talk to a  specialist online comfort from your home

v No travel

v Zero wait time

v No waiting in queues

v Selecting doctors based on Language preference

v Blood samples are collected from home & reports are shared through email/SMS

v Easy follow up with your favourite doctors

v Ease of  Interoperability between departments is the key thing in online consultations. Easily you can meet other department doctors online

v Convenient booking & affordable charges

 

Talk to a Gastroenterologists online

There are top leading and cost effective consultation platform where you can find a doctor as per department/language preference /city, can view doctor’s profile and book online consultation (time and date as per your convenience).

 

CALL AND CURE IS BEST FOR ONLINE GASTROENTEROLOGISTS CONSULTATION

 

Our Gastroenterologists online are fully qualified doctors with MBBS, MD. We have given 1000+ consultations for gastroenterology & many repeated customers.

 Consult our online gastroenterologists today and get flat 200 off and additional 10% discount.