Peptic Ulcer Disorder

Peptic Ulcer Disorder

Definition – Peptic ulcer disorder refers to the formation of ulcers in the upper GI tract lining, notably the stomach’s, esophagus, or duodenum’s mucosal lining. The disease causes internal bleeding, leading to anemia – causing breathlessness, fatigue, heart palpitations, and pale skin.

Pepsin and hydrochloric acid in the stomach aimed to digest food erodes the mucosal lining. The stomach defensive mechanism gets disrupted, or an excess amount of acid gets produced, and the stomach digests itself.

Pathophysiology

• Ulceration of mucous membrane and deeper structures of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Commonly occurs in the duodenum (duodenal ulcer) and stomach (gastric ulcer).
• The acid is found in the digestive tract corroding the esophagus, gastric, or duodenum mucosal lining.
• The disorder gets commonly seen in people with 55 to 65 years old.
• Stomach ulcers – Gastric mucosa gets destroyed; acid secreted, mucosal degradation occurs, leading to ulcer development.
• Duodenal ulcers – gastrin is released in excess amounts elevating sensitivity to gastrin hormone or lower the ability to buffer acid secretion.

The binomial name of PUD is Helicobacter pylori.

Symptoms: Vomiting blood, which is black or red, feeling faint, weight loss, trouble breathing, stool with dark blood, and change in appetite.

Treatment: Herbal, nutritional – Garlic, honey, cranberry, and ethanolic extracts from Mimosa pudica leaves.

Holistic – Treat recurrences with fibre, taking zinc, and Dried banana powder.

Medicinal – Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, rabeprazole, and pantoprazole. Antibiotics like tinidazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, and tetracycline.

Prevention: Natural/Herbal/Nutritional – Cabbage, Turmeric, and honey.

Holistic – Avoid alcohol, washing hands often, and eating well-cooked foods.

Medicinal – use caution with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin.

Misconception

• Spicy food and stress lead to the development of peptic ulcer disease.

Posed questions

• Does milk cure ulcer?
• Can ulcers get caused by a lack of eating?

• Does spicy food worsen or cure ulcers?