Peptic ulcers, which are in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the intestine leading from the stomach) can occur at any age and affect both men and women. Untreated, sufferers can look forward to a long siege with them. But today's peptic ulcer sufferers have a brighter prospect for relief than did those of even a single generation ago. There is now less than 1 chance in 18 that surgery will every be necessary and new medications act faster and better and offer more relief than ever before.
The warning sign of active ulcers you will most likely experience (if you get any warning at all) is a gnawing discomfort in the middle or upper abdomen that typically comes between meals or in the middle of the night. Food or liquids, including antacids and milk, can provide some temporary relief, but milk might not be all that good a remedy since it stimulates production of hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices which further aggravates the pain.
Antacids blended from aluminum, calcium or magnesium salts, have long been the non prescription drugs most people quickly reach for to get relief from their stomach pains. But, because antacids interfere with absorption of some medications, be sure to go over this with your doctor and get his approval.
You should never ignore any warning signs of ulcers. Ulcer complications are serious and in some cases can be life-threatening. If paid from ulcers persists after more than 10 to 14 days of self-treatment or comes back when treatment ends, you should see your doctor. The passing of blood through the bowels may be caused by some other problem, but it can also be an urgent warning of a bleeding ulcer.
Bleeding ulcers can cause anemia or, if the ulcer gets larger it may expand into a major blood vessel, a leak can turn into a hemorrhage, with only minutes available for life saving emergency treatment. Ulcers can also perforate and may erode completely through the wall of the stomach or duodenum. If this happens and the stomach's contents flow into the abdominal cavity, severe infection can result. A perforated ulcer is an emergency that requires immediate surgery.
It has been determined that smoking doubles a person's risk for ulcer disease. Physicians and researches have found that ulcers heal a lot slower for smokers, and smokers also have a higher relapse rate.
And you're definitely at risk for ulcers if you take aspirin and any of the other products containing aspirin. High-dose Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Maproxen and Piroxicam are in wide use today for many conditions, especially to relive pain and swelling among the millions of people who have arthritis. These medications can irritate the stomach's lining and cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Ulcers have frequently been the target for humor in describing the stereotypical aggressive, pressured, goal-or-career-oriented person. But for those who have them, ulcers are certainly no laughing matter. Peptic ulcers strike 1 out of ever 50 Americans each year.
As research continues, there is now mounting evidence that something other than smoking, drinking, spicy meals, or a possible battle with the boss may be associated with ulcers. It is now believed that ulcers are the result of a combination of conditions, the dynamics of which researchers don't yet fully understand.
About The Author
David Grisaffi, C. H. E. K. II, CFT, PN
david@fit-zone.com
253-383-5370
Sign up for my FREE Newsletter and receive a FREE Bonus Report: "Maximum Weight Loss & Fitness". 43,000+ Livinghealthy Newsletter Subscribers.
http://www.fitnessgenerator.com/fitdavid
The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides... Read More
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing... Read More
Every year about this time doctors around the world are... Read More
Clinton's recent quadruple bypass surgery has been largely debated. Being... Read More
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe and deadly allergic... Read More
Since 1982 Accutane has been a reliable, if not controversial,... Read More
Tumescent liposuction is done using a local aesthetic. A large... Read More
On June17, 2005 Guidant Corporation recalled close to 50,000 heart... Read More
Today there are about 70 million Americans with arthritis?that's one... Read More
There is a huge concern in the medical industry that... Read More
Viga and Viga for Women is a dietary supplement sold... Read More
Any dialysis patient who has had a brush with high... Read More
Heartburn is a by-product of digestion, specifically affecting the esophagus... Read More
At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the... Read More
Even in clinical trials, Lotronex displayed a tendency towards causing... Read More
The recent withdrawals of the prescription medications Vioxx and Bextra... Read More
Finding the right treatment for any person suffering with a... Read More
America's war on drugs, which has been fought in the... Read More
Medical Care:Treatment options depend on the stage of ingrown toenails,... Read More
Michael Richardson, MD has some suggestions on maximizing your next... Read More
Looking for the best doctor to suite your medical needs... Read More
Perhaps one of the most insidious dangers in modern technology... Read More
OxyContin is a narcotic drug, an opiate, that has been... Read More
Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages,... Read More
It was around 1986, when my son Lewis was diagnosed... Read More
We have all talked a lot about the problems in... Read More
How does a mind contemplate itself? That's a philosophical question... Read More
Many people today realize the importance of keeping their blood... Read More
The vaccine industry insists that their vaccines against the flu... Read More
Cybill Shepherd has revealed that she suffers from irritable bowel... Read More
While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon... Read More
The unfortunate truth about medical errors is that they plague... Read More
For years, it's been known that regular daily exercise is... Read More
I have been swallowing three varieties of blood pressure pills... Read More
With more medical advantages, an adjustable bed finds more functions... Read More
Acid reflux disease, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
An estimated 85 million Americans have acquired the herpes simplex... Read More
Chemical dependency recovery provides with positive changes in reactions and... Read More
Recent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis... Read More
With the hum of the election campaign and the debate... Read More
Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, is a prescribed medication used... Read More
How Does Online Pharmacies Affect Pharmacy Leaders?With cheaper drugs made... Read More
Anxiety is the most frequently occurring mental health disorder in... Read More
The American Heart Association estimates that one of three Americans... Read More
The recent withdrawals of the prescription medications Vioxx and Bextra... Read More
All medications, which include prescriptions, over-the-counter preparations, vitamin and mineral... Read More
Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is used to... Read More
According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with... Read More
Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 2 of 82. Vitamin... Read More
When you search online for Electric Wheelchairs, like any other... Read More
Everything can be found on the Internet. At various sites... Read More
Your colon is a place for other parasites and organisms... Read More
Electric wheelchairs mobility for virtually any type of disability.Innovations have... Read More
Looking for the best doctor to suite your medical needs... Read More
It was Saturday morning and while I was making breakfast,... Read More
NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit... Read More
Serzone is a prescription medication that is given to patients... Read More
Thirty percent of human population has a high blood pressure... Read More
Have you been struggling to lose weight, but diet and... Read More
Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily... Read More
When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys... Read More
Notice friends getting contact lenses and pulling out eye glasses?"What... Read More
Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More
You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
Medicine |