Usually ulcer is defined as a sore in the human’s stomach beginning from a small intestine. Ulcers are commonly observed. According statistics, one out of every ten Americans has had ulcer. Ulcer is mainly caused by different types of bacteria and in rare cases by long use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents. Bacterial infection gets into stomach and leads to ulcer. Researchers claim that pylori bacteria are one of the infections which cause ulcers. For example, pylori accounts for about 80% of stomach ulcers and about 90% of duodenal ulcers.
Nevertheless, this infection is considered common as more than 20% of Americans are infected with it. However, pylori infection doesn’t always result in stomach or duodenal ulcer. The ways of becoming infected with pylori are still unknown, but researchers assume that it is transmitted either through water or mouth-to-mouth contact through salvia (kissing). The mechanism of infection is the following: pylori infection weakens protective coat of either stomach or duodenum and acid is allowed to pass through affecting sensitive lining of the stomach.
The stomach lining is thus irritated by pylori bacteria and acid and ulcer is developing. It is difficult to cure ulcer because pylori bacteria secrets enzymes which are able to stomach acid and to survive. In such a way pylori affects protective mucous lining. The most common sign of ulcer caused by pylori bacteria is long-lasting pain in stomach. The pain is dull causing gnawing ache and lasting for several days. Furthermore, pains appear shortly after meals and in the middle of the night because the stomach is empty.
The other symptoms are possible loss of weight, absence of appetite, bloating, vomiting, nausea, and burping. However, the symptoms may be mild or they may not be felt at all. Ulcer caused by pylori infection can lead to perforation, bleeding and obstruction and, therefore, it should be properly treated. The treatment methods are antibiotics, H2-blockers, proton pump inhibitors or stomach-lining protectors.
References
H Pylori and Peptic Ulcers. (2000). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://healthlink.mcw. edu/article/956711536. html H Pylori and Peptic Ulcers. (2004). The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://digestive. niddk. nih. gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/ Helicobacter Pylori. (2006). Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://www. cellsalive. com/helico. htm Ulcers and H. Pylori Infection. (2006). American Academy of Family Physicians. Retrieved October 10, 2007, from http://familydoctor. org/online/famdocen/home/common/digestive/disorders/271. html