When most of us hear the term ulcer we think of hunger or shortage of food. There are also those who envisage that ulcer is brought about solely by the fact that one has skipped eating frequently. Ulcer though, is more complicated than that. Ulcer occurs within the body and most mostly in the stomach, the small intestine or the throat. If not treated well, it is painful and dangerous.
The right term of the most widespread one is the peptic ulcer. This occurs when a defensive barrier mucus of the stomach or intestine is weakened and acid burns the tissue. The stomach automatically produces acid to digest food and the body also releases mucus to ensure that this acid does not harm the body. When such a balance is upset, wounds become created. It is that wound that is known as ulcer.
One of these revelations is that ulcers are not predominantly caused by pepper or starvation like most of the Nigerians think. The significant factor is a kind of bacteria, known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This germ inhabits inside the stomach and corrodes this protective lining after a duration.
Another large contributor is that of the frequent use of painkillers (i.e. ibuprofen, aspirin, and diclofenac). Such medicines decrease protective mucus in the stomach and allow it to be damaged by acids. Spicy food and stress cannot cause the ulcer, however, they can worsen the symptoms.
Symptoms of ulcers are easy to notice as long as one pays attention to them. The most frequent symptom is burning pain in the upper stomach. This pain can occur when the stomach is either empty or sometimes after meals when the stomach is filled and it recurs. Other effects are bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, vomiting up blood or black evacuations. These indications should not be overlooked, since in its untreated form, ulcers may cause severe bleeding or perforation of the stomach.
Ulcer is not a fatal syndrome, though it still needs to be treated properly. The physicians typically support the H. pylori infection with the help of the stool examination, breath tests or by means of endoscopy. Treatment when there is presence of the bacteria is a combination of antibiotics and acid protecting drugs during a period of several weeks.
In the event the cause is painkillers the doctor will recommend to stop or change the medication. Medications such as proton pump inhibitors (ounces like omeprazole) and H2 blockers (ounces like ranitidine) are commonly given to lower the amount of stomach acid and permit healing to go on.
Life style is really important in the process of recovery. Alcohol, smoking, and excessive coffee consumption should be avoided by people with ulcers due to the fact that they irritate the lining of the stomach. Instead of big late-night eating, eating smaller, regular meals is better. Spicy foods such as excessive pepper should not cause ulcers, however, they may exacerbate the symptoms, so it is best to minimize them. Having enough water and resting aids in faster recovery of the body as well.
What most Nigerians are unaware of is that ulcers that have not been treated may have severe conditions. A bleeding ulcer can cause someone to vomit blood or pass dark stools, which is dangerous in such a situation unless quick treatment is administered. The other risk is perforation in which the ulcer opens a hole in the stomach.
This leads to severe and immediate pain and emergency surgery is needed. Digestive tract can also tend to narrow, thus food cannot pass easily. All these complications demonstrate why ulcers cannot be treated by self medication or the use of herbs.
Prevention is always better that cure Ulcer can be safeguarded by easy habits. Regular hand washing and the consumption of clean food will curb the transmission of H. pylori. It is also essential to take painkillers when necessary and never when an empty stomach is. In individuals who have to take such drugs on a regular basis, doctors can prescribe preventive medications that can curb ulcers. Lessening alcohol consumption, ceasing smoking, and dealing with stress positively are also protective to the stomach.
In short, ulcers are more than hunger pain. It is a legitimate medical condition, because it is caused mostly as a result of having H. pylori infection and the abuse of painkillers. It is not hopeless as it can be treated and even cured earlier it occurs, but it becomes serious when disregarded. All Nigerians must realize that ulcer management is not only about food without pepper, but proper medication, healthy living and knowledge. The first step to ensuring the safety of our loved one, as well as ourselves, is awareness of the problem.
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