A hole in the wall of the stomach or small intestine is known as an ulcer. Why is ulcer? In particular, it is caused by ulcers in the stomach, small intestine and large intestine due to gastritis. Gastritis and Helicobacter pylori are caused by H pylori infection (contaminated water and unhealthy food). Most of all it causes ulcers.
Other reasons include continuous use of pain-relieving antibiotic drugs, use of steroid drugs used for bathrothes and long-term patients, excessive smoking and alcohol consumption, and those who eat a lot of junk food are likely to develop ulcers due to intestinal wounds. Recently, many people are suffering from ulcers due to increasing mental stress. The risk of getting this disease is also higher in people who stay on empty stomach for a long time.
How to know?
If there is an ulcer, the upper part of the stomach hurts. Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, gas and indigestion, heaviness in the stomach, weight loss. As the ulcer progresses, the symptoms of blood coming from the mouth, black stools and lack of blood in the body appear.
Treatment
Ulcers are treated with antibiotics and surgery. If gastric or ulcer has occurred due to Hpylori infection, then gastric and two types of antibiotics should be taken in the morning and evening for 14 days. After watching the symptoms and taking antibiotics and gastric medicine for 6 to 8 weeks, it will be cured. But gastric medicine should be taken regularly for about five to six months.
Ulcers can be completely cured if the medicine is taken as per the doctor’s advice. But if there is no cure even after taking the medicine two or three times, and if there is cancer in the intestine, surgery is required.
But nowadays it is usually cured by taking medicine. Similarly, if there is only a simple gastric, it can be prevented by making changes in diet and healthy lifestyle.
Prevention
Strengthening the digestive process, eating a balanced diet, not using too much pain medication, reducing the consumption of spicy, greasy, bitter and sour and junk food as much as possible, not being hungry for a long time and eating plenty of vegetables, salads, fruits and fiber-rich foods.
(Dr. Bhandari is working at Helping Hands and Gastro and Liver Foundation in Chawhil, Kathmandu.
