Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcer is one of the most common diseases today.



It refers to an eroded lesion in the gastric intestinal mucosa. An ulcer may form in any part of the digestive tract which is exposed to acid gastric juice, but is usually found in the stomach anti the duodenum. The ulcer located in the stomach is known as gastric ulcer and that located in the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer. Usually both are grouped together and termed peptic ulcer. An ulcer is. Usually one-fourth to one inch in diameter, and it is either round or oval shaped.

Duodenal ulcers are about ten times more frequent than gastric ulcers. They are more common in sedentary workers than manual workers. The incidence of peptic ulcers is four times higher in men than women. Men are more affected by duodenal ulcers whereas women usually get ulcers in the stomach. 80th kinds affect young to middle-aged persons and are most common in the 35-40 age group.

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers:

The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the upper central abdomen.



The pain is commonly described as burning or gnawing in character. Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals and rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pain usually occurs between meals when the stomach is emp¬ty and is relieved by food, especially milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets the sufferer out of bed between 2 and 4 a.m. As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence. Besides mental tension, insomnia and gradual weakening of the body. It may also cause constipation with occasional blood in the stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is anaemia.

A really severe peptic ulcer can lead to serious com¬plications like haemorrhage, perforation or obstruction of the orifice through which the food passes from the stomach to the intestine. Unless treated in time, it can lead to massive bleeding and shock, or even death.

Causes of Peptic Ulcers:

Peptic ulcers result from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This strong acid secreted by the cells lining the stomach affects much of the break-down of food. It can be potentially dangerous and, under certain circumstances, it may eat its way through the lining of the stomach or duodenum producing, first, irritation of the stomach wall and eventually an ulcer.

Dietetic indiscretion, like overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee, alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. Alcohol is a very powerful acid producer and has a burning effect on the stomach lining. Coffee also increases the production of acid especially when itis taken black The ingestion of certain drugs, particularly asprin, food poisoning, infections like influenza and septicaemia and gout may also cause ulcers.

Emotional stress or nervous tension also plays a major role in the formation of ulcers. The stomach is a highly sensitive organ and nervous activity can slow down or speed up digestion.



Those given to excessive worry, anger, tension, jealousy and hurry are thus more prone to suffer from ulcers than those who are easy-going and relaxed. Ulcer patients are usually highly-strung, irritable and ambitious people who live very active lives. They generally take on many things at one time and worry about the results of their various projects.

Certain occupations appear to predispose individuals to peptic ulcers. Doctors and those in responsible positions in industry such as business executives are particularly prone to it. Presumably stress and strain, hurried and irregular meals, and inadequate mastication are im¬portant contributory factors in their cases.