Causes, signs, symptoms and treatments

ulcers can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and intestine). When ulcers occur in the stomach they are referred to as gastric ulcers. Ulcers may also occur in the duodenum (duodenal ulcers) and rarely in the lower part of the oesophagus (food tube).

How ulcers develop

An ulcer occur when the stomach acids and digestive enzymes attack the lining of the tissues. Tissues are normally protected by a thick layer of mucous. People most prone to ulcers are:

• smokers
• heavy drinkers
• people with high levels of stress
• regular users of salicylates (e.g. aspirin)
• consumers of very rich or spicy foods
• coffee drinkers
• people who suffer frequent stomach infections
• type A personalities
• people with the blood group 'type O'

Duodenal ulcers occur more in people who secrete unusually large amounts of gastric acid or who digest their food rapidly. the bacteria helicobacter pylori is also linked to the development of duodenal ulcers. People who use NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may also be more prone.

Signs and Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers

• recurring indigestion
• heartburn
• pain and nausea

Signs and Symptoms of Gastric Ulcers

• pain in the upper abdomen after eating
• pain is often slightly to the left side of the body
• pain is not relieved by eating
• indigestion, nausea and vomiting

Signs and Symptoms of Duodenal Ulcers

• pain in the center of the upper abdomen
• pain occurs after meals and often early in the morning
• pain is relieved by eating
• abdomen is often tender around the site of the ulcer

Treatment

Untreated ulcers may bleed, perforate the lining of the digestive tract and set up an infection in the wall of the abdomen leading to the potentially fatal condition of peritonitis. Modern treatments of ulcers adopt a multifacted approach involving medication and lifestyle and dietary changes.

Medical treatments may include elimination of helicobacter pylori combined with powerful antacids to reduce stomach acid production, particularly at night. Medical interventions are often very successful after 6 - 8 weeks.

Because peptic ulcers have a high recurrence rate, other behavioral changes are recommended. These include:

• reducing the intake of spicy or rich foods
• reducing the intake of foods with high roughage content
• reducing levels of alcohol
• stopping smoking
• taking up exercise / yoga / activities that help in the reduction of stress.
• balancing diet. The days when a regular bland diet including things white fish and chicken was recommended have passed. Indeed it is now recognised that such diets may actually increase gastric acid production.