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PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE
Peptic ulcers are ulcers occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. They are usually found in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
In recent years, it has become established that peptic ulcers occur as a result of bacterial colonization of the stomach lining by an organism called Helicobacter pylori.
The organism invades parts of the stomach line and induces an inflammatory reaction (incites the body’s defensive mechanism) which then destroys part of the stomach lining. This process leads to the formation of ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers).
The organism can also increase the secretion of acid by the stomach lining. This excess acid does not harm the stomach because the lining is protective. The excess acid does, however, destroy the lining of the duodenum (which does not have a strong, protective lining) and lead to ulcers in the duodenum.
In summary, gastric ulcers occur in situations where the amount of acid secreted by the stomach is low, and duodenal ulcers occur in situations when the amount of acid secreted by the stomach is high.
Duodenal ulcers are more common that gastric ulcers.
Duodenal ulcers can also be caused or aggravated by the ingestion of any substances which increase stomach acid production. These substances include”
Spices
Alcohol
Hot Pepper
Stress
Incidence of Helicobacter pylori colonization in Gambian Children
About 85% of Gambian children are colonized by the organism by the age of 30 months (Thomas et al, 1999). Not all of them get to develop symptoms of peptic ulcers.
Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Abdominal pain and discomfort is the hallmark of peptic ulcer disease. The pain is usually in the epigastric region of the abdomen.
The pain occurs before means in duodenal ulcers and after meals in the case of gastric ulcers.
In duodenal ulcers, the pain is caused by the excess acid damaging the wall of the empty duodenum, the acid is neutralized when food is eaten and the pain then stops.
In gastric ulcers, the pain is caused by food rubbing against the ulcerated stomach wall. The pain in gastric ulcers is relieved by the absence of food in the stomach.
Other symptoms include vomiting.
Diagnosing Peptic Ulcer Disease
The diagnosis is mostly made based on the symptoms, but additional investigations can be made.
A sample of the stomach lining can be taken and examined for detection of the organism, and also to differentiate peptic ulcers from cancerous ulcers.
Treating Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers are treated by taking a course of specific antibiotics to eradicate the organism and by taking drugs which lower the levels of acid secretion by the stomach wall.
The antibiotics are taken for 7 days. The acid-lowering drugs are taken for up to 4 weeks or more to allow for healing.
For more comments/suggestions regarding this article, please contact us on mcham@medgambia.com
Disclaimer: References values used in this article are solely intended for the purpose of health education and not for diagnostic purposes. Reference values differ in people from different races and countries. And they even differ from one laboratory to another. They all, however, fall within a certain range.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely intended for the purpose of general information and health education. It should not be used for diagnostic purposes or for the treatment of patients. Each diabetic individual has unique features best known by his/her physician.
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