In Part I of this article I discussed what an ulcer was and the primary cause of stomach and duodenal (upper small intestine) ulcers. If you haven't read Part I please do so now. Reading Part I will help you better understand this article.
Previously, I mentioned that a large number of people develop an ulcer sometime in their lives (40 million in the United States). This problem is even more common in the developing countries of the world. Many people have chronic ulcer problems that drastically affect their everyday lives. The most common cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. This bacteria causes up to 80 percent of all ulcers in the United States.
Helicobacter pylori is acquired by the fecal-oral route of transmission. The bacteria is present in solid human waste (fecal material; dung; feces; etc.). If a person -- for instance, a restaurant cook -- does not wash properly after using the bathroom, some of the waste materials can be placed in the food, on plates, glasses or eating utensils. The next person to use the contaminated items could then be infected with Helicobacter pylori. Kind of gross, but that is why most public restaurants in the United States have signs in the restrooms telling employees to wash their hands before leaving the restroom.
After getting in the stomach Helicobacter pylori will then burrow into the mucus that protects the lining of the stomach. The bacteria will attach to the cells that line the stomach and eventually will cause damage and irritate the stomach. The irritation then leads to a sore called an ulcer. The stomach acid then makes the ulcer worse. Fortunately, this bacteria can be eliminated from your stomach with antibiotics.
However, I would NOT suggest you start gulping down leftover pills from Uncle Fred's last infection. The ulcer must be located, tests performed to see if you are infected with Helicobacter pylori, and only then if the above tests are positive will you be treated with antibiotics.
To determine if you have an ulcer, go to your physician. The physician may perform what is called an upper GI series. Basically, you have to swallow a chalky liquid called barium. Then an x-ray is taken of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Some physicians prefer an endoscopy (endo= inside; -scopy; looking) to determine if you have an ulcer. Basically, they place a very small TV camera connected to a thin tube into your mouth, down your throat, and into your stomach. Before they do this you are usually calmed down with a sedative.
If you definately have an ulcer, then the physician may do one of three
Go To Page: 1 2
