PEPTIC ULCER; THE MYTHS AND THE FACTS



THE MYTHS



Spicy Foods cause Peptic Ulcer

Skipping Meals or Fasting causes Peptic Ulcer

Stress causes Ulcer

Smoking and Alcohol have nothing to do with Ulcer



THE FACTS



Peptic Ulcer is a sore on Digestive Tract Lining (Esophagus, Stomach or Small Intestine), that is, it can be Esophageal, Gastric (the most common) or Duodenal Ulcer



CAUSES

The common cause

●The most common cause of Peptic Ulcer is the Bacteria Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori for short



●It's also caused long-term use of Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), a particular class of painkillers eg Ibuprofen, Aspirin



The less common cause

●Hyper Acidity of the stomach, this could be a result of long-term smoking & drinking, stress and can even be genetic





You may want to ask 'How does H. Pylori get into the body?'

Well this is not fully understood but it is suggested that H. Pylori may be passed from person to person through Body Fluids i.e Saliva, also may spread through contaminated Food and Water.



Our stomach is naturally designed to withstand the acidity of its secretions, but when H. pylori starts dwelling in the stomach it erodes the mucus lining of the stomach and this makes stomach susceptible to its acidic secretions.
These secretions which are essential for digestive activity of the stomach can cause damage to the stomach of its protective lining are impaired or compromised.



Long-term use of NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac) interferes with the stomach ability to protect itself against the action of its secretions. So you may want to consider the kind & content of the painkiller you're taking before you do or better still seek prescription from the 'Qualifieds'.



Skipping Meals, Spicy Foods, Stress etc will only trigger or aggravate Peptic Ulcer, they are not the main cause.


SYMPTOMS

●Burning Gnawing around the belly button and up to the chest if Esophageal Ulcer that increases when the stomach is empty and decreases briefly if you eat, drink or take antacids

●Bloating & Burping

●Nausea and Vomiting (with blood in the worst cases)

●Heartburn



PREVENTIONS

●Limit the intake of alcohol

●Practice good Personal Hygiene

●Limit the use of aspirin, diclofenac and ibuprofen



TREATMENTS

●Visit a Doctor, 'Test & Treat' is the best method as in the case of H. Pylori

●If NSAIDs induced, stop the use Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

●Avoid Spicy foods, Caffeine


Refs
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9273#causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/symptoms-causes/syc-20354223
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10350-peptic-ulcer-disease

[quote][/quote]
Sissy3

The content of your post contradict itself.

Anyway, spicy food do cause Gastric ulcer. Also, lying down immediately after meal do trigger it as well