Peptic ulcer disease, or more commonly known as PUD, is the development of open sores in your gastrointestinal tract. Most commonly, it occurs in the lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine.
According to the place where they occur, peptic ulcers can be classified as:
- Gastric ulcers- that occur in the lining of the stomach
- Duodenal ulcers- that occur in the duodenum, an upper portion of the small intestine.
Peptic ulcers occur most commonly due to a bacterium called H.pylori. However, it can occur due to other causes, such as long-term NSAID intake.
Eating spicy foods and too much stress can worsen the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. If you have a stomach ache, you should visit a gastroenterologist in Karachi.
What are the Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer Disease?
The symptoms of peptic ulcer disease may vary from person to person because of the severity and lifestyle. Since the symptoms of PUD exacerbate due to some triggers, they may remain variable.
The common symptoms of peptic ulcer disease are:
- A feeling of fullness, belching, or bloating
- Burning stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
The most common complaint due to peptic ulcer disease is burning stomach pain. It can become worse when you do not eat anything for long hours. Therefore, often the healthcare providers suggest that the person should have small frequent meals if they have a complaint of peptic ulcer disease. When you eat something, your acid can get neutralized and utilized.
The pain due to peptic ulcers can become worse at night and between meals. To counteract it, acid-neutralizing medicines can help.
Some people with peptic ulcer disease may not have any symptoms, whereas, in some, it can cause severe symptoms, such as:
- Blood in stools which makes them black
- Vomiting blood
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
What are the Causes of Peptic Ulcer Disease?
Your stomach contains a fluid that has acidic pH. It helps in the digestion of food. Normally, your stomach has linings that can bear the acidic pH of gastric acid. But when the fluid becomes too much, it can result in a sore in the gastrointestinal tract, causing a peptic ulcer that can lead to bleeding and pain.
The ulcer develops when there is too much acid secretion in your stomach. It can happen due to the reasons, such as:
- Infection due to a bacterium called H.pylori
- Prolonged use of pain relievers such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or mefenamic acid
- Taking other drugs for a long time, such as corticosteroids, risedronate, alendronate, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
What are the Risk Factors for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
The risk factors for peptic ulcer disease are:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Taking long term NSAIDs
- Drinking alcohol
- Being under stress for a long time
- Eating spicy foods
- Inactive lifestyle
- Being obese or overweight
If alone, these factors do not cause ulcers. But they can worsen the pre-existing condition. And if they sustain, they can make it difficult to recover.
What are the Complications of Peptic Ulcer Disease?
The complications of peptic ulcer disease can be:
- Internal bleeding that shows up as black stools or vomiting out blood. It can eventually lead to decreased red blood cells- a condition known as anemia.
- Peritonitis- infection of the abdominal cavity
- Obstruction of food in the gastrointestinal tract
If left untreated, it may lead to gastric cancer.
What are the Prevention tips for Peptic Ulcer Disease?
The tips to prevent peptic ulcer disease are:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Protect yourself from H.pylori infection. For that, you must wash your hands frequently and eat fully cooked food.
- Take pain relievers in the smallest possible dose and quantity.
However, if you are diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease, you should visit a gastroenterologist.