What Are The Complications Of Peptic Ulcers
With modern treatment, people with ulcer disease can lead normal lives without lifestyle changes or dietary restrictions. Cigarettesmokers have been found to have more complications from ulcers and treatment failure.
Eradication of the bacteria H. pylori not only heals ulcers but also prevents the recurrence of ulcer disease.
Patients with ulcers generally function quite comfortably.
Some ulcers probably heal even without medications . Therefore, the major problems resulting from ulcers are related to ulcer complications. Complications include
- bleeding,
- obstruction of emptying of the passage of food.
Patients with bleeding ulcers may report
- a sense of light-headedness or ay even pass out upon standing ,
- and vomiting blood . Initial treatment involves rapid replacement of fluids intravenously.
Patients with persistent or severe bleeding may require blood transfusions. An endoscopy is performed to establish the site of bleeding and to stop active ulcer bleeding with the aid of specialized endoscopic instruments.
Duodenum – A peptic ulcer that forms in the narrow outlet from the stomach, it can obstruct the flow of stomach contents into the duodenum. Duodenal ulcers sometimes also may obstruct the flow of intestinal contents.
Patients with obstruction often report
It Isnt As Healthy As You Think
Of course not all men milk is created equally. Some almond milks are definitely more healthy than others, but many of the almond milks I see in the store contain a lot of additives and all of them are indeed highly processed. You cannot just go out there and crack open an almond to drink milk from it.
A lot of the almond milks on the market have nutrients added to them, such as minerals that are not actually from almonds. And anyway this is not much different from supplementing with vitamins taken out of a bottle, which there been a lot of studies on showing that absorption is not nearly as effective compared to when getting vitamins from a natural source.
You also have to consider the sugar content of almond milk. Unsweetened almond milk is the best choice, because it has zero sugar and this could potentially be the problem. But I know a lot of people are going to want to buy the unsweetened kind due to the Well Unsweetened taste.
And dont confuse unsweetened with original. The original almond milks are indeed sweetened.
When To Seek Medical Advice
You should visit your GP if you think you may have a stomach ulcer.
Seek urgent medical advice if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- vomiting blood the blood can appear bright red or have a dark brown, grainy appearance, similar to coffee grounds
- passing dark, sticky, tar-like stools
- a sudden, sharp pain in your tummy that gets steadily worse
These could be a sign of a serious complication, such as internal bleeding.
You May Like: Pregnancy Symptoms Constipation
Diagnosis Of A Stomach Ulcer
Diagnosing a stomach ulcer is done using a range of methods, including:
- Endoscopy a thin flexible tube is threaded down the oesophagus into the stomach under light anaesthesia. The endoscope is fitted with a small camera so the physician can see if there is an ulcer.
- Barium meal a chalky liquid is drunk and an x-ray is performed, showing the stomach lining. These tests are less common nowadays, but may be useful where endoscopy is unavailable.
- Biopsy a small tissue sample is taken during an endoscopy and tested in a laboratory. This biopsy should always be done if a gastric ulcer is found.
- C14 breath test this checks for the presence of H. pylori. The bacteria convert urea into carbon dioxide. The test involves swallowing an amount of radioactive carbon and testing the air exhaled from the lungs. A non-radioactive test can be used for children and pregnant women.
What Causes Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers occur when the layer protecting the stomach lining from stomach acid breaks down. This allows the stomach lining to become damaged.
This is usually caused by:
- an infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria
- taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or aspirin particularly if theyre taken for a long time or at high doses
Theres little evidence that stress or certain foods causes stomach ulcers.
More about the causes of stomach ulcers
Read Also: Zantac For Ulcer Pain
What If I Still Need To Take Nsaids
If you take NSAIDs for other conditions, such as arthritis, you should talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using NSAIDs. Your doctor can help you determine how to continue using an NSAID safely after your peptic ulcer symptoms go away. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine used to prevent NSAID-induced ulcers called Misoprosotol.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Your doctor can then decide if you may safely take NSAIDs or if you should switch to a different medicine. In either case, your doctor may prescribe a PPI or histamine receptor blocker to protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum.
If you need NSAIDs, you can reduce the chance of a peptic ulcer returning by
- taking the NSAID with a meal
- using the lowest effective dose possible
- avoiding alcohol
Colon Cancer Or Other Serious Condition
While most instances of blood-containing stool arent life-threatening, its necessary to have an evaluation. Bloody stool can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as colon cancer. Let us know if you experience bleeding along with a sudden change in bowel habits. This may signal a more extensive problem elsewhere in the digestive tract.
Its important to find out the cause of blood in your stool and rule out serious digestive conditions. Left untreated, bloody stool could lead to dangerous complications. If you have any digestive complaints, call our office in Annapolis to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
You Might Also Enjoy
Dont Miss: How To Get Rid Of Excess Gas In Stomach
Read Also: Kidney Bloating Stomach
Can Peptic Ulcer Disease Be Prevented Or Avoided
Stress and spicy foods dont cause ulcers. However, they can make them worse. Smoking and alcohol can cause a peptic ulcer. Men should limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks per day. Women should have no more than 1 drink per day. Talk to your doctor if you take aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen regularly.
Will Surgery Cure A Peptic Ulcer
Medical therapy works in most people with peptic ulcers. Sometimes, medical therapy does not work, or a person can’t take the therapy for some reason. Surgery is an alternative to medical therapy for these people.
Surgical operations often used in peptic ulcers include the following:
- Vagotomy: Cutting the vagus nerve, which transmits messages from the brain to the stomach, can reduce acid secretion. However, this can also interfere with other functions of the stomach. A newer operation cuts only the part of the nerve that affects acid secretion.
- Antrectomy: This is often done in conjunction with a vagotomy. It involves removing the lower part of the stomach . This part of the stomach produces a hormone that increases production of stomach acid. Adjacent parts of the stomach may also be removed.
- Pyloroplasty: This procedure also is sometimes done with vagotomy. It enlarges the opening between the stomach and duodenum to encourage passage of partially digested food. Once the food has passed, acid production normally stops.
- Tying off an artery: If bleeding is a problem, cutting off the blood supply to the ulcer can stop the bleeding.
Read Also: Can Tofu Cause Diarrhea
How Is A Peptic Ulcer Diagnosed
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, whether you take NSAIDs and other drugs, and medical history. Theyâll also check you for bloating in the belly and pain. That may be enough to make a diagnosis.
The only way your doctor can tell for sure if you have an ulcer is to look. They may use a series of X-rays or a test called an endoscopy. This test allows them to pass a thin, bendy tube down your throat and into your stomach and small intestine. The tube has a camera at the end so they can check the lining for ulcers. They may also take a small piece of the lining to test for H. pylori. Blood, breath, and stool sample tests also can screen for the bacteria.
Antacids And H2 Blockers
Antacids
Antacids neutralize existing acid in the stomach. Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Amphojel are safe and effective treatments. However, the neutralizing action of these agents is short-lived, and frequent dosing is required. Magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox and Mylanta, can cause diarrhea, while aluminum containing agents like Amphojel can cause constipation. Ulcers frequently return when antacids are discontinued.
H2 blockers
Studies have shown that a protein released in the stomach called histamine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Histamine antagonists are drugs designed to block the action of histamine on gastric cells and reduce the production of acid. Examples of H2 blockers are cimetidine , nizatidine , and famotidine . While H2 blockers are effective in ulcer healing, they have a limited role in eradicating H. pylori without antibiotics. Therefore, ulcers frequently return when H2 blockers are stopped.
Recommended Reading: Can Eating Too Much Salad Cause Diarrhea
Soy Milk Doesnt Cause Digestive Issues For Most People
For the vast majority of us who dont have soy allergies or intolerance, drinking soy milk is perfectly healthy. Do you know that soy protein is one of the only plant-based sources of all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. It also digests easily.
A quick Google will show there are many conflicting reports about whether soy milk is healthy or not. Some are very alarmist and say that soy milk should never be consumed. Those opinions are misinformed, in my opinion.
Just look to Japan and China, the countries that first invented soy milk. I have lived and worked in China from 2014 through 2018, and can tell you that soy milk is very popular here.
How many Chinese and Japanese people have you seen with bloated and overweight midsections? Not too many, am I right? That is pretty strong anecdotal evidence that drinking soy milk doesnt usually cause bloating or other digestive problems. More likely, only on an individual basis.
If you have found your way to this article, its possible but unlikely that you are one of the unlucky who have soy sensitivity. With proper testing you should be able to determine if thats the case, and adjust your diet accordingly.
If you do have soy sensitivity, please leave a comment below. What has your experience been like and what advice can you offer? Thanks.
Determining If Almonds Are The Cause Can Be Difficult
If almond milk is a current part of your diet and you are experiencing diarrhea, you might be thinking that there is very little chance that this could be the cause because this unwanted side effect is not something you get relatively soon after drinking it, which you might expect. However, determining if almond milk is the cause is a little more complicated.
Almond milk could cause diarrhea later down the road. It could take a while Even over a day after you drink it. This all depends on the reason for your intolerance and this makes it much more difficult to find out what to place the blame on.
A really good way for determining the cause is the symbol of elimination diet, which was mentioned in the beginning when I was talking about a story I read from a woman that was trying to get to the bottom of this.
With the elimination diet you simply want to slowly start eliminating foods and seeing if the diarrhea goes away. But of course this is easier said than done Since I just mentioned that you could drink almond milk one day and potentially not get diarrhea from it until the next. Ian there is also the possibility that a combination of nutrients or the cause of your diarrhea, which just makes things all the more complicated.
Recommended Reading: Gastritis Vs Ibs
Prevention Of Peptic Ulcers
Using alternatives to NSAIDs, like acetaminophen, to relieve pain can help prevent peptic ulcers. If you need to use an NSAID, opt for the lowest dose and take it with a meal.
Peptic ulcers caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori are not usually preventable, but good hygiene such as washing your hands thoroughly before eating and after using the bathroom may help limit the spread.
Common Symptoms Of Equine Ulcers
On many occasions, the symptoms of ulcers may be subtle in horses. Some horses will display more symptoms than others. A horse that can appear completely healthy may even be suffering from gastric ulcers.
There are several symptoms in horses that may be a sign of ulcers. Some of the top symptoms include poor appetite, poor coat, change in attitude, reluctance to preform, change in performance, weight loss, and loose stool. Some horses may lay done more frequently, appear dull, and even have mild colic.
In more serious cases, the horse may colic regularly and even suffer from more severe cases of colic. Horses may even frequently grind their teeth. They may lay done even more often, even laying on their backs.
Ulcers can also commonly occur in foals. They may colic on an intermittent basis or be seen frequently laying down. They may have intermittent nursing, as the ulcers are causing discomfort.
In more severe cases, foals may display diarrhea, weak appetite, teeth grinding, and excessive salivation. In these situations, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
You May Like: Can I Eat Peanut Butter With Gerd
Are Peptic Ulcers Painful
The pain of ulcer disease correlates poorly with the presence or severity of active ulceration. Some individuals have persistent pain even after an ulcer is almost completely healed by medication. Others experience no pain at all. Ulcers often come and go spontaneously without the individual ever knowing that they are present unless a serious complication occurs.
Symptoms and signs of peptic ulcers disease vary. Some people with stomach ulcers do not have any symptoms or signs while others may have a few or several.
The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is a dull or burning pain in the stomach. The pain may be felt anywhere between your belly button and breastbone. Pain from a peptic or stomach ulcer
Peptic ulcer other symptoms and signs that are less common include
Cigarette smoking not only causes ulcers, but it also increases the risk of complications from ulcers such as bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. Cigarette smoking also is a leading cause of failure of treatment for ulcers.
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol, coffee, colas, spicy foods, and caffeine have no proven role in ulcer formation. Similarly, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that life stresses or personality types contribute to ulcer disease.
Avoiding Soy In Your Diet
Simple avoidance is the primary method for treating a soy allergy, but avoidance isnt always easy.
Soy is in many processed foods canned tuna, baked goods, cereals, infant formulas, margarine, and many more and is often in vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, lotions and cosmetics. As Arbogast said, It seems like soy is in everything!
To complicate matters further, soy goes by many other names: diglyceride, edamame, glycine max, hydrolyzed vegetable protein , lecithin, miso, monoglyceride, monosodium glutamate , natto, tamari, tempeh, tofu, vegetable oil, vitamin E and yuba.
FALCPA has helped clarify the confusion somewhat. Since January 1, 2006, food manufacturers are required to clearly state on food labels if soy, or any one of the other eight most common allergens, is one of the ingredients.
However, even with the new law in place, its still important to read labels carefully. The law doesnt apply to non-food items like cosmetics and medicine. And according to the FDA, FALCPA doesnt require food manufacturers or retailers to re-label or remove products with the old labeling as long as they were labeled before January 1, 2006. As a result the FDA warns shoppers of . . . a transition period of undetermined length during which it is likely that consumers will see packaged food on store shelves and in consumers homes without the revised allergen labeling.
Recommended Reading: Probiotics Crohns
A Guide To Soy Allergy And Intolerance
Elizabeth Arbogasts third child, Julia, was a fussy baby. She had colic and was often crying. Nothing would soothe her. Julias apparent discomfort usually occurred shortly after each breast-feeding, which prompted Arbogast to pay more attention to what she had eaten before the infant nursed.
Whenever I had coffee with soy milk in it or ate Tofutti Cuties , Julia was really cranky and seemed to be in pain, Arbogast recalls.
In addition, Julias bowel movements werent normal they were runny and full of mucous. At Julias two-month check up, Arbogast mentioned her babys symptoms to the pediatrician. Test results, combined with Arbogasts suspicions about soy, led the pediatrician to advise Arbogast to eliminate soy from her diet.
Within two weeks, Julias symptoms had resolved, Arbogast says. She was a very happy and easy baby after that.
How Is A Peptic Ulcer Treated
Some peptic ulcers heal on their own. But if you donât treat them, the ulcers tend to come back.
They can erode the blood vessel wall in your stomach or small intestine. The ulcers also can eat a hole through the lining and get infected. Or they can cause swelling, which may block food from moving from your stomach into your small intestine.
If H. pylori is the culprit, your doctor may prescribe a mix of antibiotics to kill it. If aspirin and other NSAIDs are behind the ulcer, you may need to cut down on them, stop taking them altogether, or switch to another pain reliever.
Your doctor may also give you antacids to fight stomach acid, or prescribe medicine to lessen the acid your body makes. Prescription drugs called cytoprotective agents can help protect the lining of the stomach or small intestine so the ulcer can heal.
You May Like: Does Ibs Affect Pregnancy