What is an ulcer?
Ulcer is the medical name of the wound. It is a wound that occurs in the inner surface covering layer (mucosa) of the digestive system with high acid density. The ulcer usually occurs in the duodenum, not the stomach, as it is thought. Depending on this wound, the person may have very serious abdominal pain.
Ulcer is a discomfort that disrupts the comfort of life of a person. One does not know what he ate or drank.
Drugs such as aspirin and anti-rheumatic pain relievers, a microbe called "helicobacter pylori" that reproduces in the stomach, smoking and excessive coffee consumption are important causes of ulcers. Anti-rheumatic (non-steroidal) drugs prevent and disrupt the formation of the gastric mucosa, which acts as a protective barrier, and cause ulceration. Helicobacter pylori is responsible for 90 percent of duodenal ulcers and 60 percent of stomach ulcers. Cigarettes and tobacco products disrupt the circulation of the mucous layer, causing anemia and therefore ulcer development.
Does stress cause ulcers?
Although reliable scientific evidence is one of the difficult topics to obtain, in general, beyond other reasons, “STRESS” is one of the most important factors. Although the pathogenesis of mucosal lesions that occur in the stomach due to stress is not clear enough, hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol released during stress (these are stress hormones) also contribute to the increase of secretions such as acid that irritates the stomach and ultimately the development of ulcers. Gastric perforations are also usually caused by stress.
How is an ulcer diagnosed?
The definitive diagnosis of ulcer is made only by endoscopy. Both the location and severity of the ulcer can be determined by endoscopy.
What to Do in Treatment?
Ulcer treatment has undergone a serious evolution over the years. In the 1980s, surgery had a significant weight in treatment. But now ulcers can be successfully treated with drugs. At first, of course, drugs can be used to heal the ulcer, but stomach ulcers appear as a stress response in some people. In fact, it is sometimes a harbinger of situations such as depression, panic, fear, anxiety. If the person is in trouble with the stomach and cannot get a response to treatment, the first thing to do is to go to a psychiatrist. The addition of a psychiatric contribution to the medical treatment of ulcer greatly relieves the person of this suffering.
What happens if the ulcer is not treated? Who needs surgery?
Untreated ulcers can lead to serious problems. The ulcer can spread to neighboring organs. This condition, which we call penetration, causes severe and constant pain. Since the probability of success with drug therapy is low, the patient has to be operated. The second problem that an untreated ulcer can create is perforation in the stomach or duodenum. This condition can only be treated with emergency surgery. The third problem is bleeding. Bleeding is sometimes caused by disruption of the superficial veins and can be stopped with medical treatment. But ulcers sometimes disrupt large vessels, causing bleeding and can be life-threatening. In this case, an attempt is made to stop the bleeding with endoscopic methods, but if no success is achieved, the patient is operated under emergency conditions. Another problem is clogging. Especially in duodenal ulcers, edema and wound cause a stenosis that prevents food flow through the intestine. The blockage problem can only be treated with surgery.
Can ulcers cause cancer?
It is believed that the risk of developing gastric cancer increases 3-6 times in patients with ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori. Yet with some ulcers we need to be a little more skeptical. Because 5% of stomach ulcers develop due to cancer.
General Treatment Precautions:
· Avoid being hungry for a long time!
· Avoid snacking while lying down!
· Avoid caffeinated and acidic foods!
Alcohol and cigarettes are enemies of the stomach.
Make sure you get enough sleep!
Exercise is stomach friendly. Considering that regular exercise facilitates stress control, reduces stomach acidity and strengthens the circulatory system.
It is expected to be beneficial in reducing the risk of ulcer development.
Fatty foods stay in the stomach for a long time and cause irritation.
Dough desserts such as baklava are unfortunately inconvenient.
Orange increases grape acidity.
Eating slowly, not fast, does not tire the stomach.
Food should be neither too hot nor too cold
Which foods are the enemy of the stomach?
In fact, there is no 'enemy food list' with strong scientific evidence behind it. It is beneficial to consume as little alcohol and caffeine-containing beverages as possible, which cause gastritis by causing irritation in the inner layer of the stomach. We know that milk, which was considered stomach-friendly in the past, actually increases stomach acidity due to the calcium it contains, makes the symptoms of ulcers more noisy and delays healing. For this reason, it is necessary to know that even if milk is not on the list of enemies, at least it is not on the list of friends. We know that hot and spicy foods, which are indispensable in the list of stomach-friendly people, do not actually damage the stomach, but increase the symptoms of reflux.
Uzm. Dr. MEHMET ATEŞ
Gastroenterology
