What causes peptic ulcer? See the symptoms and treatment options here.

Peptic ulcer are a disease that can affect anyone at any time.

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine, which causes stomach pain. It is commonly caused by H. pylori infection and excessive use of NSAID medications.

Warning; This entire content is for educational purposes only and not for medical use.

What Is Peptic Ulcer?

As you all know, peptic ulcers are caused by sores in the stomach. There are two types of peptic ulcers. The type depends on the location of the ulcer in the stomach. These two types are:

• Duodenal ulcers: These are sores that occur in the upper part of the small intestine.
• Gastric ulcers: These sores occur inside the stomach.

Our stomach is protected by a mucosal layer. Digestion takes place in our stomach, and acid is also secreted there in the gastric juice. When in someone develops a peptic ulcer, this protective lining breaks down.

What causes peptic ulcers?

The main causes of peptic ulcers are H. pylori infection and the overuse of NSAID drugs. Many of you probably take pain medication, but its overuse is very dangerous. Using too many painkillers can lead to many diseases, one of which is peptic ulcer.

Helicobacter pylori: This bacterium lives in the mucus layer that covers and protects the lining of the stomach and small intestine. H. pylori bacteria often don’t cause any problems. However, they can cause inflammation in the lining of the stomach, which is called gastritis. When this happens, it can lead to ulcers.

Regular use of certain NSAIDs Drug: Taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause irritation or inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small intestine over time. These medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others), ketoprofen, and others. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) is not included in this category.

What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers?

It is commonly observed that when people suffer from ulcers, they experience persistent stomach pain. Other symptoms include:

• Mild or burning pain in the stomach.
• Feeling full or bloated.
• Burping.
• Heartburn.
• Nausea.
• Loss of appetite.
• Feeling of fullness in the stomach.

Peptic ulcers can bleed. When this happens, symptoms may include:

• Vomiting blood, which may appear red or black.
• Dark blood in the stool, or black, tarry stools.
• Dizziness or fainting.

Diagnose Of Peptic Ulcer

A physical examination can help the doctor detect peptic ulcers or their complications. During the physical examination, the doctor often performs several checks:

• They examine your abdomen for swelling.
• They listen to the sounds inside your abdomen using a stethoscope.
• They tap on your abdomen to check for tenderness or pain.

Tests used to diagnose peptic ulcers:

• Laboratory tests for H. pylori
• Endoscopy
• Biopsy
• Upper gastrointestinal series
• Blood test
• Stool test
• Urea breath test

Peptic Ulcer Treatment

You should get a thorough examination before starting any kind of treatment or medication.

Antibiotics are very effective in reducing infections, and proton pump inhibitors can be used to reduce acid secretion.

• Antibiotics to kill H. pylori (Best Combination: Amoxycillin (750mg) + Clarithromycin (500mg) + Esomeprazole (40mg))
• Acid-blocking medications (Omeprazole, Pantoprazole)
• Stomach acid-reducing medications (Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide)
• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid
• Medications that protect the lining of the stomach and small intestine
• Cytoprotective agents to coat and protect your lining

Homeopathic remedies for Peptic Ulcer

Homeopathic medicines are very effective if used correctly. For example, if 10 people have peptic ulcers, each of them will receive a different homeopathic medicine, unlike in allopathy where the same antibiotic would be prescribed to everyone. In homeopathy, the medicine is prescribed after considering every symptom and the patient’s complete medical history.

• Arsenicum album
• Nux vomica
• Robinia
• Lycopodium