‘Ulcer Is Curable, If Cause Is Known’

Dr. Akaehomen Austeen is the medical director of City of David Hospital, Festac Town, Lagos. In this chat with GERALDINE AKUTU, he enlightens on stomach ulcers and how it can be properly managed.

What are stomach ulcers and the causes?
Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the first part of the small intestine. No single cause has been found for ulcers, but a bacterium, Helicobacter pylorus has been implicated in a large number of cases. Also, prolonged use of some drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen and others can also cause ulcer in many individuals. Other risk factors include smoking or chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, excess acid production like in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and gastrinomas.

Those with a family history of ulcer and age above 50 years are also prone.Serious illness and radiation therapy to the area around the stomach has also been implicated.

What are the most common symptoms?
Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, burning or gnawing in nature. The pain occurs most times between meals and at night, and relieved by antacids. Other symptoms include; heartburn, feeling of bloating, nausea and or vomiting. In severe cases you can have dark or black stool due to bleeding, vomiting blood and severe abdominal pain.

How can one detect stomach ulcer and what are risks involved if not detected early?
Ulcers can be detected by the above symptoms and other specialised tests like barium meal, upper endoscopy. If ulcer is not detected early and treated, the sufferer can be at risk of developing complications like; bleeding, perforation and gastric outlet obstruction.

Remedy and lifestyle changes that can help in managing stomach ulcer
Most ulcers are curable if the cause is known and dealt with appropriately, but it can also run a chronic course because they have a tendency to recur.

Management Involves the use of medications and lifestyle changes like cutting off smoking, reduction or stop of alcohol consumption, and avoiding intake of offending drugs (NSAIDs) with food. It is important to learn how to control stress level, eat when you are supposed to and avoid foods that irritate your stomach. Prevention, when possible, basically involves doing the above in respect to lifestyle changes.