Today we’re going to be talking about peptic ulcer disease you might see in your books is PUD. The term peptic ulcer disease is actually given when the gastric acid in the digestive tract erodes the inner area of the small intestine, pylorus, stomach or even the esophagus.
These erosions can cause open sores and can become extremely painful and can even start to bleed. Usually, the mucous lining of the small intestine and stomach can protect against gastric acid, however, if this mucous lining is decreased, and the amount of gastric acid is increased, a peptic ulcer can develop in the patient.
Peptic ulcers can encompass: Duodenal ulcer, these ulcers occur in the first part of the small intestine.Gastric ulcers, these ulcers occur inside the patient’s stomach.Esophageal ulcers, these can occur in the patients’ esophagus.
Let’s look at some of the causes of peptic ulcer disease. Causes a peptic ulcer disease include a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, and from now on we’re going to call it H-Pylori. This is actually the most common cause.
It used to be thought that stress and eating spicy foods used to be the cause of peptic ulcer disease, but they’ve actually narrowed it down to H-Pylori. So that’s probably an important test question for you to remember. This bacteria, by the way, is ingested by contaminated food or water, and believe it or not, it is actually found in two thirds of the world’s population.
Another cause is the use of NSAIDs. Now you guys remember NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also ibuprofen, and even believe it or not, enteric coated aspirin can still cause ulcers.
There’s another cause of peptic ulcer disease and it’s called zollinger Ellison syndrome. And this is basically a gastrinoma. Now, this is a very rare tumor in the stomach, but it actually will increase gastric output.
The patient actually may not exhibit any symptoms of the illness. However, if and when they do exhibit symptoms, they can include:
If peptic ulcers are left untreated, the following may result:
Diagnosis can be utilized by the following methods an upper endoscopy, blood test, breath tests or even stool for H-Pylori, barium swallow or upper GI series, now this is a series of X rays to visualize esophagus all the way down to the small intestine to see if there’s any ulcers present.
Let’s talk about some treatments and medical considerations. So the following treatments may be used to treat PUD:
antibiotics Antibiotics, and this is to actually kill the H-Pylori bacteria, if it is, in fact found in the digestive tract. Now again, depending on what book you’re looking at, they may say they’re going to use more than one antibiotic. Proton pump inhibitors And you guys know that this is to reduce the stomach acidH2 blockers Now this is going to reduce the amount of gastric acid is actually released into the digestive tract. antacids Of course, we’ll probably be using some antacids to neutralize the gastric acid Anticholinergics and final options Anticholinergics to reduce gastric motility. Some books will even say prostaglandins, and that may be prescribed for the ant secretory and the protective actions. Now, if all else fails, surgery may be done. And that’s if the bleeding from the ulcer has not stopped, or the ulcer has actually resulted in a perforation.
Pharmacists need to educate the patients on the following:
13 Comments
I’ve been using Panatazole for the past 2 years to treat my GERD
But it’s getting really painful when skip a day without taking the medication.
I try to stay away from spicy food or wrong sleeping posture. this was very helpful for my case
Glad you’re keeping things under control.
Happy new year.
I thought Ranitidine was withdrawn from the market? it has some sever side effects!
Yes Aurora, you are correct. It has been voluntarily recalled.
read more on FDA
Loved your approach on the topic.
Thanks, Glad you enjoyed it.
Happy new year.
Can milk help?
Actually NO, it won’t help. It may even make the situation worst. Milk stimulate acid secretions… So better avoid it with PUD and use alternative medications.
Don’t use milk. I will give you more acids.
great blog
Thanks, Glad you enjoyed your visit.
I don’t have peptic ulcer disease, but I did learn a lot from this post. I was actually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis but I have gotten it under control now. Thanks for bringing awareness for GI related conditions! It’s cool to know that people out there know what it’s like!
Hello Abhie and thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad you found the post helpful, and that you got your UC under control, it’s a bad thing when it’s misdiagnosed.