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Gastric Ulcer
What should be noted for gastric ulcers?
Gastric ulcers are closely related to lifestyle, dietary habits, and work stress. First, it is important to rest more and reduce mental stress. Secondly, improve dietary habits by eating regular meals, consuming more vegetables and fruits, and easy-to-digest foods while reducing the intake of spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. Pay strict attention to quitting smoking and alcohol, drinking less strong tea and coffee, actively use medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa, and persist in taking medication as prescribed by a doctor. Avoid life's irritants, strengthen physical exercise, and engage in more outdoor activities to regulate physical and mental health.
What should not be eaten with gastric ulcers?
Patients with gastric ulcers should be cautious about their diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, and avoid drinking strong tea, coffee, eating fatty, greasy, spicy, fried, barbecued, raw, cold, and sweet foods, as well as drinking milk and soy milk, or eating glutinous rice and sweet potatoes. This is because some of these foods can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid, worsening the irritation of gastric mucosa and exacerbating gastric ulcers. Some are difficult to digest, thus, they are not recommended. It is advisable to eat porridge, drink soups, eat noodles, such as millet porridge, yam porridge, barley porridge, chicken soup, and pork rib soup. When eating meats, ensure they are well-stewed before consumption.
What is a stomach ulcer?
Peptic ulcer is caused by long-term Helicobacter pylori infection and the consumption of stomach-irritating medications such as corticosteroids, aspirin, and long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as irregular intake of spicy, stimulating, and cold foods, coupled with long-term emergency mental factors, leading to postprandial pain. The main symptoms are periodic rhythmic upper abdominal pain, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and acid reflux. Diagnosis can be made by performing a gastroscopy. Treatment mainly involves the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and protective stomach treatments among other symptomatic treatments. Complications may include upper gastrointestinal bleeding, perforation, pyloric obstruction, and malignant transformation. Dietary recommendations include avoiding smoking, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, indigestible foods, and some stimulating condiments.
What department should I go to for gastric ulcers?
Gastric ulcer is a gastrointestinal disease. Therefore, it requires consultation in the department of gastroenterology or gastroenterology clinic. Gastric ulcer is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, inappropriate medication use, irregular diet, or certain psychological factors, and can arise in emergency situations. It presents with periodic, rhythmic upper abdominal pain, more often occurring in the autumn and winter seasons, and can be diagnosed through gastroscopy. For treatment, methods mainly include triple therapy or quadruple therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori and facilitate gastric recovery.
What foods to eat for gastric ulcers?
People with stomach ulcers should eat foods that are easy to digest and high in protein and vitamins, such as soft rice, porridge, and noodles. Foods rich in protein include fish, milk, and walnuts. Foods high in vitamins include tomatoes, carrots, bean sprouts, and spinach. Patients with stomach ulcers should avoid spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, garlic, leeks, and ginger, as well as seasonings like cinnamon, star anise, and Sichuan pepper. They should also avoid overly acidic foods, raw and cold foods, fried foods, and foods that are high in rough fiber.
Can gastric ulcers be cured?
Gastric ulcers are classified into benign and malignant types. Most duodenal bulb ulcers and gastric ulcers are benign and can be cured through medication. Treatment plans are usually determined based on the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection can be treated with antibacterial therapy. If there is no infection, symptomatic treatment alone is generally sufficient for a cure. If the ulcer is malignant or is a giant ulcer, surgical treatment is generally required. For those who cannot undergo surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be needed. Generally, the prognosis for malignant ulcers is worse than for benign ulcers.
Is gastric ulcer contagious?
Gastric ulcers are lesions that occur in the gastric mucosa. Ulcer disease is not contagious, therefore it does not transmit from person to person. Most gastric ulcers are caused by an infection of Helicobacter pylori, which damages the protective barrier of the gastric mucosa, and ulcers arise under the stimulation of gastric acid. The principles of treatment mainly involve eradicating Helicobacter pylori, suppressing gastric acid secretion, and protecting the gastric mucosa. Additionally, dietary control is important, including eating more vegetables and fruits, consuming less spicy and irritating foods, and paying attention to regular and measured meal times.
Medications for treating gastric ulcers
Here I will introduce several major types of medications for treating gastric ulcers, but specific medication use should be consulted with a doctor or pharmacist according to individual conditions. The first major type is anti-gastric acid medications. Since gastric acid plays a significant role in ulcerative lesions, it is considered appropriate to treat gastric ulcers by adjusting the stomach environment to a pH of 3.5. Anti-acid medications include antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, and others. The second major type is gastric mucosal protectants, which include some class B drugs, prostaglandin derivatives, and some containing sucralfate. The third major type is medications that treat Helicobacter pylori, with quadruple therapy currently being a common practice. Note: Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Causes of gastric ulcer
It is currently believed that Helicobacter pylori infection is closely related to gastritis activity, ulcer formation, and tumors. Therefore, the main cause of gastric ulcers is the infection of Helicobacter pylori. Other factors, such as drugs, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid medications, often lead to gastric mucosal damage and result in peptic ulcers. Psychological factors, such as long-term excessive tension or high stress, often lead to peptic ulcers as well. Poor dietary and living habits, such as excessive drinking, consuming raw, irritating, greasy food, or binge eating, also promote the occurrence of peptic ulcers.
Complications of gastric ulcers
The main complications of gastric ulcers are fourfold: one is upper gastrointestinal bleeding; the second is perforation; the third is pyloric obstruction; the fourth is malignant transformation. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common complication of gastric ulcers. If a patient has experienced bleeding, there is a high likelihood of recurrence. Perforations mainly occur in elderly individuals. Pyloric obstruction is primarily caused by ulcers in the pyloric canal and pre-pyloric area. It is divided into mechanical obstruction and functional obstruction. Mechanical obstruction results from scarring after the ulcer heals, which narrows the pyloric opening. Functional obstruction is due to congestion and edema of the mucosa after the ulcer, causing relative narrowing of the pylorus. As for malignant transformation, it is still controversial, but it is generally believed to be around 1%-7%.