Jenny lauper

The Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease and H Pylori

Peptic ulcer desease is caused by h pylori bacteria according to latest researches. About 25 million people is suffering from different ulcers in US.

Peptic ulcer is the common term for the ulcers in the duodenum, stomach, Meckel’s Diverticulum, and esophagus. The acids in the stomach erode the mucous membrane coating of the gastrointestinal tract that result in a gradual disintegration of the tissue. Although generally a peptic ulcer is small in size, it can create a substantial amount of discomfort. In United States of America approximately 25 million people suffer from ulcers. Researches have shown that peptic ulcer disease and h pylori are associated with each other.

Researches prove that peptic ulcers are in many cases caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium is usually known as H pylori. Though the precise mode of this bacterium’s transmission is yet unknown, saliva and fecal contamination are thought to be the probable channels. Once ingested in the body, the bacterium burrows through the protecting mucous membranes that contour the stomach wall. Surprisingly majority of the infected people do not show any symptom and are disease free. The symptoms arising out of H. pylori infection are gastritis and peptic ulcers. The characteristics of both of these diseases are:

• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting and nausea
• Severe upper abdominal pains
• In extreme cases there is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract

The pain is felt through the burning sensation in the upper abdominal area. This symptom can be related to burping and bloating. In severe cases the patient may vomit blood and passes bloody, tarry, black stools. This is a medical emergency situation and the patient needs immediate medical supervision. If the patient is diagnosed to have the peptic ulcer disease and h pylori tests are not yet done, he/she must undertake the medical exams. To identify H. pylori infection some tests need to be performed on breath, blood and stool samples. Biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract’s tissue is done to find out the presence of this bacterium.

The treatment of H. pylori infections involves different steps. There is two week antibiotic therapy that includes tetracycline, metronidazole, and clarithromycin treatment. The next step involves controlling the acid secretion in the gastrointestinal tract through H2 blockers such as ranitidine and famotidine.

Though it is a common knowledge that peptic ulcer disease and h pylori are related, there are different elements that can cause peptic ulcer. Excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, prolonged consumption of Aspirin, and different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen can lead to peptic ulcer. The best option is leading a healthy lifestyle to stay away from ulcers.

Article Tags: Peptic Ulcer Disease, Peptic Ulcer, Ulcer Disease

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