General Information About Ulcer - By: altruist

An ulcer is an external or internal sore or lesion that is a sign of necrosis (death of the tissues at a cellular level). Most ulcers that plague people are called “gastric” ulcers which are internal in nature. However, there are several kinds of ulcers and they include: decubitus ulcer, peptic ulcer, serpent ulcer, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, bed sore, and canker sore (herpes).

An ulcer is a small sore or break in the lining of the stomach or just beyond the stomach in the first part of the intestine, called the duodenum. Once the break occurs it is gradually eroded and deepened by the corrosive effect of acidic gastric juices to form an ulcer. An ulcerous condition may develop quickly or over a long period of time. An estimated 5-10 percent of people suffer from an ulcer at some point in their lives.

Symptoms:

Most ulcers cause recurring episodes of abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back. These episodes may be separated by periods of remission lasting from several weeks to years. The pain, often causing a burning sensation, is typically reduced by food but returns when the stomach empties. Pain experienced during the night is a common indicator of a duodenal ulcer.

Other symptoms may include indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and black tarry stools. In a very small percentage of cases, the ulcer may rupture a blood vessel, causing vomiting of blood. Peptic ulcer disease can be very distressing and, if left untreated, can cause premature death in extreme cases.

Pain--centered in the pit of the stomach, just below the rib cage--is the most characteristic ulcer symptom, and it usually follows a distinct pattern. It normally begins several hours after eating or during the night, developing when the stomach is empty. The pain can manifest itself as a chronic gnawing or aching; it may grow worse during or immediately after meals; or there may be no pain at all, just belching--any ongoing stomach discomfort should be called to a doctor's attention.

There are several factors that can cause it. Some of them are as follows:-

1 Wrong diet

2 Digestive problems such as constipation

3 Hormonal imbalances, especially during puberty in girls

4 Anemia

5 Constant stress

6 Hereditary factors

7 Infection of the herpes simplex virus

8 Irritation by some chemicals, tobacco and alcohol

Ulcer occurs due to the contamination with a certain bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. The bacteria alone can’t produce ulcer, as research findings also indicate its presence in the organism of people who don’t develop ulcer. However, the excessive secretion of gastric acid may cause the deterioration of the mucosal membrane covering the stomach, thus enabling infection with Helicobacter pylori.

Smoking is one of those factors. Many studies have shown that if you are a smoker, the risk of developing an ulcer is greater. Furthermore, smoking slows down the healing process of your ulcer and even increases the risk of the ulcer recurrence. Caffeine is also an "friend " of the ulcer.

About the Author

Read About Breast Enlargement And Breast Stretch Marks And Also Breast Firm

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/altruist/74763

Additional Articles From - Home | Health & fitness | Alternative medicine