Why do stomach ulcers are difficult to cure stomach ulcer, also called gastric ulcer is a serious disease that causes open sores in the stomach. Gastric ulcer commonly affects people aged over 50 years and has the highest incidence in females. Although there are many factors that can lead to development of gastric ulcer, the disease usually occurs because poor circulation in the lining of the stomach and an overproduction of digestive juices. Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is also a major cause of gastric ulcers. These bacteria weaken the walls of the stomach, allowing gastric acid to cause inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa of the protective cover of the stomach. In addition, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori trigger an overproduction of digestive juices, allowing the ulcer to progress further.
Gastric ulcer usually occurs in the region of the posterior gastric wall, near the pyloric orifice. In the initial phase of the disease, the ulcer appears as a circular lesion with a diameter of 1-2 cm. In the absence of appropriate medical treatment, the ulcer may develop, causing a large hole in the wall of the stomach. This complication is referred to as perforated ulcer and is considered a medical emergency. With internal bleeding, perforated ulcer accounts for thousands of deaths annually in the United States.
The progression of gastric ulcer does not follow a specific model. In some cases, the ulcer may develop slowly, generating mild symptoms, almost imperceptible, while the ulcer can sometimes change rapidly, generating intense abdominal pain and burn in progress. When the latent gastric ulcer progresses, doctors usually experience great difficulty in detecting and diagnosing disease. Often, gastric ulcers were found long after they become serious, which makes people susceptible to the disorder with a wide range of potentially fatal complications.
The most frequent symptom of gastric ulcer are abdominal pain. The pain is usually ongoing and it tends to intensify after meals and at night. Some people experience severe pain they can not even tolerate clothing. Constipation, nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of gastric ulcer. Vomiting blood is a clear sign of complication.
There is no specific treatment for gastric ulcer in the present. Although some patients respond well to treatment with antacids and antibiotics, others may experience a relapse shortly after the end of the course of medication. Gastric ulcer has a pronounced chronic character most people are faced with for years. multiple gastric ulcers are more difficult to overcome and they require ongoing medical treatment.
Although gastric ulcer can not always be cured, medical treatment can prevent its progression and alleviate symptoms generated. With proper nutrition, drugs currently available treatments can reduce the risk of complications.
Posted on July 9, 2010.