Ulcers

INTRODUCTION:-An ulcer is any type of sore that occurs from the loss of skin and tissue on the surface of the skin, or on an internal membrane. Ulcers on the digestive tract membranes are called peptic ulcers (types include stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcers). Other common types of ulcers are mouth ulcer sand genital ulcers. Large skin ulcers can become serious and cause severe open wounds such as in bedsores or foot ulcers.

CAUSES:-

SYMPTOMS:-Abdominal pain – This is a burning feeling or gnawing pain in the stomach that lasts about for30 minutes to 3 hours. Pain may also occur in the upper part of the abdomen or below the breastbone. Some people get this pain immediately after eating, while some get this pain hours after eating.

Heartburn ,  Indigestion  or Hunger.

Weight Loss or Weight Gain – Duodenal Ulcers are often relieved by eating more, so such people experience   weight  gain. Peptic Ulcers cause weight loss due to a loss of appetite.

Blood vomitings. 

Blood   in the  Stool.

Bloating   in the abdominal  area.

Foul  smelling  faeces.

DIAGNOSIS :-

Endoscopy Procedure: Gastrointestinal endoscopy or  gastroscopy  is a therapeutic procedure that involves visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

Helicobacter pylori  Test : Helicobacter pylori infection is found to be a major cause for stomach ulcer. In short, majority of the patients with stomach ulcer symptoms have infection by this bacteria strain

Barium Enema Procedure: Another commonly performed test for peptic ulcer diagnosis is barium contrast X-ray test.

TREATMENT :- The first class of medications which are used to deal with the pathogen are a combination of antibiotics . Medications which are commonly prescribed for duodenal, esophageal and stomach ulcer treatment include amoxicillin (Amoxil) , clarithromycin (Biaxin) and metrinidazole ,

ACID BLOCKERS drugs include ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and nizatidine,lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex)  and  esomeprazole (Nexium). These very drugs are also used for bleeding ulcer treatment.

Common prescription drugs are sucralfate (Carafate) and misoprostol (Cytotec). The bismuth subsalicylate(Pepto-Bismol) is a non-prescription one.

PREVENTION:-

Doctors are not totally certain how H. pylori bacteria are transmitted from person to person.

The bacteria have been found in saliva, so kissing may be one way. They also may be spread through food,water, or contact with vomit (puke) that has been infected with the bacteria.

The best advice in ulcer prevention is to always wash your hands after you use the bathroom and before you eat and to take good care of your body by exercising regularly and not smoking or drinking.