The term "gastric ulcer" refers to a pathology of a chronic nature, characterized by the formation of a pronounced defect in the digestive organ. A feature of the disease is a tendency to progression. As it develops, other organs (both digestive and other systems) are involved in the pathological process. The absence or non-compliance of the treatment regimen can lead to complications that pose a threat to the patient's life.
Development mechanism
The causative agent of the disease is Helicobacter pylori. Under the influence of a number of provoking factors, an oral infection by a microorganism occurs.
Further, the disease develops as follows:
- The bacterium penetrates through the protective layer and attaches to the epithelial cells.
- The microorganism violates the integrity of the mucous layer, providing access of the gastric juice to the affected tissues.
- The process of hydrolysis of urea starts, the result of which is the formation of carbon dioxide and ammonia.
- The latter alkalizes the epithelium in the localization zone of Helicobacter pylori. Due to this, favorable conditions for the vital activity of the pathogen are created.
- Against the background of alkalization, gastrin production is also enhanced, while gastric juice becomes extremely aggressive. As a result, damage to the mucous organ occurs.
If untreated, the disease progresses, affecting a larger section of the stomach.
Causes
Currently, it is proved that pathology is a consequence of the penetration of Helicobacter pylori into the body. In more than 80% of patients, this pathogen was detected. The source of bacteria is the saliva of an infected person, insufficiently sterile medical instruments, dirty dishes, tap water, and low-quality food. In addition, the pathogen is transmitted from mother to child during fetal development of the latter.
A stomach ulcer may also be a consequence of:
- Reception of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Less commonly, the disease occurs during treatment with potassium preparations and cytostatics.
- Existing diseases in the body (for example, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, lung cancer, syphilis, etc.).
- Injury to the stomach.
- Unbalanced food.
- Prolonged stress.
- Excessive use of alcohol-containing drinks.
Equally important is the hereditary factor.
Symptoms
You can suspect the presence of ulcerative lesions in the presence of the following alarming signs:
- Painful sensations. They can have varying degrees of severity. The intensity of pain increases with physical activity and the intake of salty or spicy foods. Localization is the upper abdomen.
- Heartburn. Appears about 1 hour after the meal.
- Nausea, often turning into vomiting. Desires arise about 1.5 hours after eating. With the release of the stomach, the patient's well-being improves significantly.
- Belching accompanied by a sour or bitter aftertaste.
- Impaired appetite.
- Flatulence.
- Heaviness in the stomach.
- The rapid onset of a feeling of fullness during the meal.
- Constipation
External manifestations of the disease include increased sweating and plaque in the language of gray.
Diagnostics
If alarming symptoms occur, consult a gastroenterologist. The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and make the most effective treatment regimen for gastric ulcer.
The following methods are used to identify pathology:
- Clinical analysis of blood, urine and feces.
- FGDS.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
- Daily pH meter.
To detect Helicobacter pylori, biomaterial (blood and feces) is analyzed. It is also possible to identify the bacterium during a quick urease test.
One-part therapy regimen
There are several standards for treating gastric ulcer. The appropriateness of their appointment is determined by the doctor on the basis of the results of the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient’s health.
A one-component treatment regimen for gastric ulcer involves taking one of the following drugs:
- De Nola.
- "Penicillin."
- "Metronidazole."
- Means from the macrolide group, for example, Erythromycin.
This is a treatment regimen for gastric ulcer and gastritis at the initial stage of their development. Practice shows that such therapy is effective in less than a third of patients, and therefore it is prescribed extremely rarely.
Two-component circuit
A similar method of treating gastric ulcer has 2 variations. “De-Nol” is prescribed as the main drug. At the same time, it is necessary to take "Metronidazole" or "Amoxicillin" (the choice of medication is carried out by a doctor).
According to statistics, a similar treatment regimen for gastric ulcer is effective in only half of patients. As a rule, the failure is due to the resistance of Helicobacter pylori to Metronidazole.
Ternary circuit
A similar method of treating gastric ulcer with drugs involves the simultaneous use of 3 drugs. The main medicines in this case are De-Nol and Metronidazole. In addition to them, Tetracycline or Amoxicillin is prescribed. This is a classic three-component treatment regimen for gastric ulcer.
Often, in addition to antibiotic therapy, antisecretory drugs, such as omeprazole, are prescribed. Against the background of taking such drugs, the effectiveness of this therapy increases to 95%. In this case, it is allowed to reduce the dosage of antibiotics.
Four Component Circuit
A similar method of therapy is the "gold" standard for the treatment of gastric ulcer. It involves the simultaneous reception of the following funds:
- De Nola.
- Omeprazole.
- "Tetracycline."
- "Metronidazole."
The four-component treatment regimen for gastric ulcer is the most modern and highly effective. According to statistics, no more than 5% of patients again see a doctor with exacerbations.
Power Features
According to clinical recommendations, the basic principles for the treatment of gastric ulcer are:
- Strict adherence to the medication schedule prescribed by the doctor.
- Correction of the regimen and diet.
Without following a certain diet, the effectiveness of drugs is reduced to a minimum. The following products must be present in the diet:
- cereals (rice, oat, semolina), as well as cereal soups;
- lean meat (chicken, veal or turkey meat);
- eggs
- cottage cheese;
- compotes and jelly;
- honey.
There should be 5-6 meals per day, but at the same time, stretching of the diseased organ should not be allowed. In this regard, the size of one portion should not exceed 200 g. All dishes should be boiled or steamed. Food should not be too hot or too cold.
From the diet must be excluded:
- alcohol-containing drinks;
- fatty, fried and smoked dishes;
- bakery products;
- legumes;
- Tomatoes
- White cabbage;
- radish;
- gooseberry;
- citrus;
- dates;
- sauces and seasonings;
- canned food;
- rich meat broths;
- coffee and cocoa.
A proper diet and a balanced diet is one of the main principles of the treatment of gastric ulcer. If you follow a diet, the likelihood of developing exacerbation is reduced to a minimum.
Clinic of Complications
Stomach ulcer is an illness in which often (in about 15% of cases) conditions that are dangerous to health and life develop.
Possible complications of the pathology:
- Bleeding. It is diagnosed in 80% of cases. Symptoms of the occurrence of this complication: vomiting, which looks like coffee grounds; vascular collapse; pallor of the skin; severe weakness. The danger of the complication is that against the background of its development, a decrease in the severity of painful sensations often occurs, which often lulls the vigilance of both the patient and the doctor. Treatment of gastric bleeding is carried out by conservative methods, but it is important to call an ambulance team in a timely manner, since against the background of a significant loss of fluid connective tissue, the patient may die.
- Perforation. With a complicated ulcer, it is diagnosed in about 8% of cases. Clinical manifestations: an attack of acute pain; a feeling of tension in the epigastric zone and the abdominal wall; weakening of peristalsis up to its complete absence. If there is a suspicion of perforation, an X-ray examination is urgently performed. The only treatment for complications of gastric ulcer is immediate surgery. Any delay can cost the patient life.
- Pyloroduodenal stenosis. It is diagnosed in 12% of cases. Symptoms of pathology: a feeling of fullness of the stomach; belching; nausea, often turning into vomiting; a sharp decrease in body weight; colicky pain. With the development of this complication, standard treatment is carried out for exacerbation of gastric ulcer (usually a three- or four-component). With the ineffectiveness of conservative methods, surgical intervention is indicated.
- Penetration. It is diagnosed in about 1.5% of cases. The pathological process extends to the pancreas and small omentum. Symptoms of penetration: painful sensations of a sharp nature, radiating to the back; heartburn; non-relieving vomiting. At an early stage, the complication is treated with medication. In advanced cases, surgery is performed.
Thus, any complications of peptic ulcer disease pose a threat to both overall health and the life of the patient. If you suspect their occurrence, you must immediately seek medical help.
Forecast
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the age of the patient, his gender, the characteristics of the pathology, the location of the damage, the presence of complications and a number of other provoking factors.
At a young age, exacerbations often occur, hemorrhages often develop, which makes the prognosis unlikely. Recovery in women in the childbearing period is fast. Elderly people often develop complications, and therefore the prognosis of the disease is poor.
If the patient went to the doctor at an early stage of ulcer formation, recovery occurs quickly. In a third of patients, the focus of the pathology is scarred and further relapses do not occur. The prognosis worsens in the presence of provoking factors, for example, with excessive enthusiasm for alcohol-containing drinks, unfavorable domestic or working conditions.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of pathology, the following rules must be observed:
- Responsible to hygiene and limit bodily contact with people suffering from peptic ulcer. This is necessary to prevent Helicobacter pylori infection.
- Timely treat all identified ailments.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Follow the principles of healthy eating.
- Avoid getting into stressful situations.
- When prescribing medicines by a doctor, strictly follow the regimen for their administration.
- Regularly expose the body to moderate physical exertion.
In order to minimize the risk of exacerbation, it is necessary to strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions, follow a therapeutic diet. It is also recommended sometimes to undergo spa treatment and regularly take walks in the fresh air.
It is customary to talk about full recovery if episodes of exacerbation have not occurred in the last 3 years.
Finally
Peptic ulcer is a pathology characterized by the formation of a defect in the digestive organ. The main reason for the development of the disease is the penetration of Helicobacter pylori into the body. If alarming symptoms occur, consult a gastroenterologist. The doctor will prescribe a set of studies, based on the results of which will make the most effective treatment regimen for gastric ulcer. Currently, the four-component is most often prescribed, which helps to stop the acute process in a short time. With the development of complications, in most cases surgical intervention is indicated.