Some bacterial infections or medications can cause peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are open sores that occurs on the inside lining of the esophagus, upper portion of the small intestine and the stomach.
A peptic ulcer that develops in the stomach is called as a gastric ulcer while those that develop within the hollow tube which is the esophagus that function in carrying food from the throat to the stomach is known as esophageal ulcers. A peptic ulcer that develops inside the upper region of the small intestines which is the duodenum is known as a duodenal ulcer. By enrolling in first aid training today, you will learn more about this condition.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnVjXuyM6xk” width=”220″]Symptoms of peptic ulcers
The usual symptoms of peptic ulcer is the burning pain and caused by the ulcer and intensified by the stomach acid that is in contact with the ulcerated areas. The pain includes the following:
· Becomes worse when the stomach is empty
· Felt from the navel up to the bones of the breast
· Flare up during night time
· Relieved by eating foods that shields stomach acid or taking medication that reduces acid
Signs and symptoms for a severe ulcer
· Dark stools that are black or tarry
· There is vomiting of blood in which the color is red or black
· There is vomiting or nausea
· Unexplained loss of weight
· Lack of appetite
Causes of peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers happen when acid found in the digestive tract is eroding the inner surface of the stomach, esophagus and the small intestines. This will create a painful and open sore that can bleed.
The digestive tract is covered by a mucous layer that function in protection against acid, but if there is an increase in the amount of acid or a decrease in the amount of mucous, an ulcer can develop and can be caused by the following:
· The bacteria helicobacter pylori that live in the mucous layer that function in covering and protecting the tissues that lines the stomach and the small intestines can cause inflammation of the inner layer of the stomach and an ulcer will develop.
· Some over-the-counter medications that cause irritation and inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small intestines include aspirin and ibuprofen.
· Other medications used to treat conditions such as osteoporosis include bisphosphonates and potassium supplements.
Treatment and home remedies
· Eat a healthy diet that is full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and avoid eating vitamin-rich foods that will disrupt with the healing process of the ulcer.
· Learn to cope with stress by doing exercises, spending time with other people like friends or writing in a journal, newspaper, etc.
· Avoid smoking because it interferes with the stomach’s protective lining, and makes the stomach susceptible in developing an ulcer, and smoking also increases the acid of the stomach.
· Avoid excessive use of alcohol since it can cause irritation and erosion of the mucous that lines the stomach and the intestines as well as causing inflammation and bleeding.