Oesophagus Ulcer

Peptic ulcer disease (also known as pepticum ulcer) is a raw, painful area that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract due to erosion of the mucosa by gastric acid. It can occur in the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. Generally the duodenum (stomach after the first part of the small intestine) is more likely to be affected by peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers may occur as single or multiple ulcers, and they normally measure from 10mm to 25mm in diameter and about 0.25 mm deep.

Causes

The lining of the duodenum is at risk of continued erosion by acid juices produced by the stomach walls. The bottom of the esophagus is at risk if and only if the reflux of acidic stomach juices occurs. Reflux is when there is acid reflux, which is where the acidic juices from the stomach flows into the esophagus (throat or esophagus).

Peptic ulcers occur in the jejunum, only when there is a massive secretion of gastric juices. The jejunum is a part of the small intestine, representing about 8-10 feet in length, between the duodenum and ileum. It helps in the process of absorption of bile salts and nutrients in digestion.

Some of the main causes for the appearance of most peptic ulcers could be from eating a lot of alcohol, or drinking too much coffee that induces the consumption of caffeine, or by regular ingestion of aspirin. other irritants could also be bile and bacteria, among others. They are also caused by increased acid secretion and decreased mucus production. For some people, peptic ulcers are due to genetics, because they are predisposed to the development of these ulcers hereditarily.

If events are common in the medical history of the family, it is important to take preventive measures. Psychological stress also plays a major role in the exacerbation of existing ulcer, which makes it even worse. Even worse ulcers smoking, like nicotine in tobacco increases the quantity and concentration of acid in the stomach and thus intensifying the existing ulcer or it could also lead to the creation of more ulcers. Smoking can also slow the process of treatment and healing of ulcers.

Men and women are equally prone to the incidence of gastric ulcers, but when it comes to duodenal ulcer, men are more likely to suffer from them than women.

Symptoms

The most typical symptom is a gnawing pain in the abdomen persistent especially when the stomach is empty. Some people with peptic ulcer have no symptoms, but most people complain of a burning pain in the abdomen, which also wakes up in the nights at a time. Eating relieves the pain of a duodenal ulcer, only for the pain to recur after a few hours.

Other symptoms that are common to both the ulcers as gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, are the following: loss of appetite (although in the case of duodenal ulcer, it sometimes increases appetite), belching, weight loss, bloating, nausea, vomiting (which is sometimes in the blood), excessive salivation tip (of saliva to dilute the acids in the stomach after reflux), and melena (stool and unusual odors).

Treatments

Antacid drugs neutralize the excess acid levels and help the healing of ulcers. If taken regularly, they can help ultimately relieve the pain caused by ulcers, and to take certain measures such as avoiding smoking, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee and tea, and avoiding the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.

Other methods of treatment are taking various drugs such as inhibitors of acid (also called histamine inhibitors, they reduce the amount of hydrochloric acid which is released into the digestive tract, reducing pain and ulcer healing materials ), antibiotic drugs, they are most often prescribed to kill bacteria, and sometimes IVM.