What are the causes, symptoms and treatments of peptic ulcers?
Peptic ulcer is a complication of chronic gastritis. The causes of peptic ulcer include H. pylori, NSAIDs, imbalance between good and bad bacteria, hyperacidity, exposure to acidic gastric juices, acid reflux (GERD), acid secretion by ectopic gastric mucosa and gastric heterotopias within Meckel diverticulum or simply spice-oriented diet. Smoking and high-dose corticosteroids also contribute to the occurrence of peptic ulcer. The symptoms of peptic ulcer include burning sensation in the epigastrium, aching pain in the abdomen 1-3 hours after meals and usually worsens at night, heartburn, belching, bloating, nausea and vomiting, dark stools, breathing problem, malaise, weight los and changes in appetite. The treatment of peptic ulcer includes anti-microbial agents and H2-receptor antagonists. Anti-microbial agents include triple and quadruple therapy. Triple therapy includes Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin and Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPI). Quadruple therapy involves Metronidazole, Tetracycline, Bismuth Salicycline and Proton-Pump Inhibitors (PPI). H2-receptor antagonists include Ranitidine, Nizatidine, Famotidine and Cimetidine.
Peptic ulcers - acute and chronic ulcers may be due to genetic alterations,H. Pylori infection most common, radiations ,chemicals,destruction of gastric acid barrier,hyperacidity , chronic alcholism,excessive use of Nsaids , etc.
