Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is a Stomach Ulcer?
A stomach ulcer is lesion that forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum where acid and pepsin are present.
During normal digestion, food moves from the mouth down the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach produces
hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric or stomach
ulcers and those in the duodenum called duodenal ulcers. The most common type is duodenal and occurs in the first
12 inches of small intestine beyond the stomach. Duodenal ulcers are almost always benign, while stomach ulcers
may become malignant. As many as 70-90% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter Pylori A bacteria that lives in
the acidic environment of the stomach.
Symptoms
The major symptom of an ulcer is a burning feeling in the stomach area that lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
This pain is often interpreted as heartburn, indigestion or hunger. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, but
sometimes it may occur below the breastbone. In some individuals the pain occurs immediately after eating. In other
individuals, the pain may not occur until hours after eating. The pain frequently awakens the person at night. Weeks of
pain may be followed by weeks of not having pain. Pain can be relieved by drinking milk, eating, resting, or taking
antacids.
The main thing that a stomach ulcer affects is the nerves surrounding it. The nerves become agitated and cause a
great amount of pain. However, stomach ulcers can cause hemorrhages from the erosion of a major blood vessel; a
tear in the wall of the stomach or intestine, with resultant peritonitis; or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract because
of spasm or swelling in the area of the ulcer.
Appetite and weight loss are other symptoms. Persons with duodenal ulcers may experience weight gain because the
person eats more to ease discomfort. Recurrent vomiting, black stool, blood in the stool and anemia are other
symptoms.
Causes
The direct cause of ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric
acid, an acid normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is
thought to play an important role in causing both gastric and duodenal ulcers. Helicobacter pylori may be transmitted
from person to person through contaminated food and water. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for
Helicobacter pylori peptic ulcers.
Injury of the gastric mucosal lining and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible for gastric ulcers.
Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition, and psychological stress are important contributing
factors in the formation and worsening of duodenal ulcers. Another major cause of ulcers is the chronic use of
anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. Cigarette smoking is also an important cause of ulcer formation and
ulcer treatment failure. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.
Western Medicine Treatment
Stomach ulcers caused by bacteria are treated with medications. The medications are aimed to kill the bacteria, reduce
the amount of acid in the stomach and duodenum and protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
It is important to follow the treatment plan exactly as prescribed, and if there are any smoking habits, they should be
stopped immediately as smoking inhibits ulcer healing. The use of alcoholic beverages should be avoided too. The
doctor will prescribe medication that will reduce the stomach acid. The doctor can prescribe medication to protect the
lining of your stomach and duodenum. These medications shield the lining from the acids.
Surgery in cases that the patient does not respond to medications or complications may be required.
It is important to treat ulcers. Complications will occur if the ulcer is not treated. Some possible complications include
anemia and perforation.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from www.gastro.com/Gastro
A stomach ulcer is lesion that forms in the lining of the stomach or duodenum where acid and pepsin are present.
During normal digestion, food moves from the mouth down the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach produces
hydrochloric acid and an enzyme called pepsin to digest the food. Ulcers in the stomach are called gastric or stomach
ulcers and those in the duodenum called duodenal ulcers. The most common type is duodenal and occurs in the first
12 inches of small intestine beyond the stomach. Duodenal ulcers are almost always benign, while stomach ulcers
may become malignant. As many as 70-90% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter Pylori A bacteria that lives in
the acidic environment of the stomach.
Symptoms
The major symptom of an ulcer is a burning feeling in the stomach area that lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
This pain is often interpreted as heartburn, indigestion or hunger. The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, but
sometimes it may occur below the breastbone. In some individuals the pain occurs immediately after eating. In other
individuals, the pain may not occur until hours after eating. The pain frequently awakens the person at night. Weeks of
pain may be followed by weeks of not having pain. Pain can be relieved by drinking milk, eating, resting, or taking
antacids.
The main thing that a stomach ulcer affects is the nerves surrounding it. The nerves become agitated and cause a
great amount of pain. However, stomach ulcers can cause hemorrhages from the erosion of a major blood vessel; a
tear in the wall of the stomach or intestine, with resultant peritonitis; or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract because
of spasm or swelling in the area of the ulcer.
Appetite and weight loss are other symptoms. Persons with duodenal ulcers may experience weight gain because the
person eats more to ease discomfort. Recurrent vomiting, black stool, blood in the stool and anemia are other
symptoms.
Causes
The direct cause of ulcers is the destruction of the gastric or intestinal mucosal lining of the stomach by hydrochloric
acid, an acid normally present in the digestive juices of the stomach. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is
thought to play an important role in causing both gastric and duodenal ulcers. Helicobacter pylori may be transmitted
from person to person through contaminated food and water. Antibiotics are the most effective treatment for
Helicobacter pylori peptic ulcers.
Injury of the gastric mucosal lining and weakening of the mucous defenses are also responsible for gastric ulcers.
Excess secretion of hydrochloric acid, genetic predisposition, and psychological stress are important contributing
factors in the formation and worsening of duodenal ulcers. Another major cause of ulcers is the chronic use of
anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin. Cigarette smoking is also an important cause of ulcer formation and
ulcer treatment failure. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.
Western Medicine Treatment
Stomach ulcers caused by bacteria are treated with medications. The medications are aimed to kill the bacteria, reduce
the amount of acid in the stomach and duodenum and protect the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
It is important to follow the treatment plan exactly as prescribed, and if there are any smoking habits, they should be
stopped immediately as smoking inhibits ulcer healing. The use of alcoholic beverages should be avoided too. The
doctor will prescribe medication that will reduce the stomach acid. The doctor can prescribe medication to protect the
lining of your stomach and duodenum. These medications shield the lining from the acids.
Surgery in cases that the patient does not respond to medications or complications may be required.
It is important to treat ulcers. Complications will occur if the ulcer is not treated. Some possible complications include
anemia and perforation.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information collected from www.gastro.com/Gastro
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