Peptic Ulcers

See also :

• Melena (Blood in Stool)
• Ulcers

Classification

By Region :

• Duodenum : called Duodenal Ulcer
• Esophagus : called Esophageal Ulcer
• Stomach : Gastric Ulcer
• Meckel's Diverticulum (called Meckel's diverticulum ulcer; is very tender with palpation)
  
  

Modified Johnson Classification of peptic ulcers:

• Type I: Ulcer along the body of the stomach, most often along the lesser curve at incisura angularis along the locus minoris resistantiae.
• Type II: Ulcer in the body in combination with duodenal ulcers. Associated with acid oversecretion.
• Type III: In the pyloric channel within 3 cm of pylorus. Associated with acid oversecretion.
• Type IV: Proximal gastroesophageal ulcer
• Type V: Can occur throughout the stomach. Associated with chronic NSAID use (such as aspirin).

Symptoms

• abdominal pain, classically epigastric strongly correlated to mealtimes. In case of duodenal ulcers the pain appears about three hours after taking a meal;
• bloating and abdominal fullness;
• waterbrash (rush of saliva after an episode of regurgitation to dilute the acid in esophagus - although this is more associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• nausea, and copious vomiting;
• loss of appetite and weight loss;
• hematemesis (vomiting of blood); this can occur due to bleeding directly from a gastric ulcer, or from damage to the esophagus from severe/continuing vomiting.
• melena (tarry, foul-smelling feces due to oxidized iron from hemoglobin);
• rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation, which leads to acute peritonitis, extreme, stabbing pain,[3] and requires immediate surgery.

Home remedies

• Manuka Honey : it'antibacterial nature appears to have effects on internal problems such as: Acid reflux, Infections in the stomach and digestive tract, Ulcers (both in the stomach and peptic), Diarrhea.
• Meadowsweet seems to be an effective stomachic, which is used in the treatment of gastritis, heartburn, hyperacidity, and Peptic Ulcers.
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is used in many traditional medicines to treat a variety of ailments including ulcers.
• Zinc Carnosine : A preliminary research on gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer patients found that the lower the zinc level in the blood, the more severe the damage to the gastric membrane, suggesting a possible link between serum zinc level and the integrity of the gut lining.
• Mastic : A Nottingham University study published in the New England Journal of Medicine claims that mastic can cure peptic ulcers by killing Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.