What Causes Peptic Ulcer Disease, and How Can You Treat It?

 


Each year, 4 million people in the U.S. suffer from peptic ulcer disease, and one in 10 get this condition at least once in their life.

This is an incredibly common issue for many people, especially those who have a history of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases or who engage in certain lifestyle habits. Let’s talk about this health condition and its causes, and learn how you can prevent or treat it at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, one of the leading hospital for special surgeries.

What are peptic ulcers?

Peptic ulcers occur in the stomach and small intestine and appear as open sores and wounds that are sensitive, painful, and prone to bacteria. These bacterial infections damage the protective lining in your digestive system, resulting in a wide range of health problems such as stomach pain, digestive issues, and more.

The two types of peptic ulcers are gastric ulcers, which form in the stomach, and duodenal ulcers, which form inside the duodenum, aka the top half of the small intestine.

What causes peptic ulcer disease?

You might develop peptic ulcer disease because of various reasons, including regular use of NSAIDs and painkillers that inflame your stomach lining; excessive smoking and drinking; liver, kidney, or lung disease; and genetic factors.

Other times, peptic ulcer disease is caused by bacteria like H. pylori, which, again, causes inflammation and irritation that lead to sores that need treatment by professionals at a hospital for special surgery and medicine.

Certain foods may irritate your ulcers and cause pain and discomfort, but they do not cause them.

How can you manage or treat it?

Peptic ulcers are treated in different ways. Your doctor will perform an evaluation and prescribe medications that help keep stomach acid down or antibiotics to fight the bacteria. You might be put on antacids that neutralize their impact and medications like misoprostol that minimize the effects of NSAIDs and help your stomach lining heal.

Peptic ulcer disease can be incredibly challenging to manage, but you can find a list of some of the leading gastroenterologists on the TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital website. As one of the best surgical hospitals in the Houston area, our doctors are equipped to provide an extensive suite of GI-related services, including direct screen colonoscopies in Houston. Learn more about our gastroenterology services here and scroll down to see the list of doctors from which you can choose.

 

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 Lesser-Known Signs That May Indicate the Need for Hip Replacement Surgery

Image
  Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure  performed on patients with persistent pain or disability problems . An orthopedic surgeon will typically recommend this procedure when the issue cannot be resolved using nonsurgical treatments like medication or physical therapy. Most people turn to an orthopedic surgeon for help when they experience symptoms such as extreme pain and swelling in their hip region. However, there are numerous lesser-known signs that indicate a patient might need hip replacement surgery . Let’s examine some of these lesser-known signs. 1.   Poor Sleep Quality Patients who require hip replacement surgery often complain about having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because their hip pain keeps them awake. If you have visited a sleep specialist for your sleep problems in the past, they may have asked you to adopt a few lifestyle changes. However, if these changes haven’t reduced the pain enough for you to sleep at night, the hip proble...
Read more

5 Unusual Signs of Breast Cancer You Should Know

Image
    Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the U.S. ,  often resulting in very invasive and aggressive forms of this disease. Education and awareness are crucial  for your health and safety, but you might be surprised to learn that there are some lesser-known signs and symptoms of breast cancer that you should be aware of too. Here are some insights from TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, one of the leading  breast cancer treatment facilities in Houston: 1.   Breast puckering Breast puckering can result in indentation and other changes in the breast, and a good way to look out for it is by raising your arms above your head while looking in the mirror. Any abnormalities and indents should be discussed with your OB-GYN or breast specialist to rule out possible malignancy. 2.   Changes in appearance, shape, or size Many people are surprised to learn that changes in appearance, shape, or size could indicate something more serious. While your breasts ma...
Read more