Let’s Talk About It— Day 18 of 30Guests in 30Days

November is moving real quick, it's Day 18 of Let's Talk About It with 30Guests in 30Days on DETAILS.

You know how it feels when you have an ulcer in your mouth, or an exposed, burning injury on your skin. Imagine that in your stomach, esophagus or small intestine.

It is a break in the skin of the inner lining of the stomach, esophagus or small intestine.

I am sure you may have heard, been taught, or even read somewhere that the stomach contains acid, so imagine ordinary methylated spirit on your wound, talk less of an acid.

EPIDERMIOLOGY

Peptic ulcer is more common than you probably think it is.

It has been seen to be most common amongst woman, especially amongst the menstruating population. This is assumed to be due to the prevalent use of Piroxicam (Felvin) among this population.

Also, a percentage of individuals are genetically predisposed to having peptic ulcer disease.

CAUSES

There are a few misconceptions about peptic ulcer, and the most prevalent one is that it is caused by ‘not eating well or often enough’.

Sixty percent of peptic ulcer cases are due to infection from a bacterial organism known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It exists in the soil and dust.

A lot of our food habits and process of making food exposes us as Africans to getting infected with H. pylori, for instance food exposed to the dust from moving vehicles at the roadside. So basically, almost everyone is infected with |h. pylori.

The next most prevalent cause of peptic ulcer is the indiscriminate use/abuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen, Felvin and Diclofenac. These drugs interfere with the protective layer within the stomach that prevents the stomach acids from damaging the stomach walls, resulting to injury that becomes the peptic ulcer.

Smoking, intake of alcohol, sedentary lifestyle together with an interplay of the above causes and genetic predisposition also contributes to and increases the risk of developing a peptic ulcer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

One of the commonest and earliest symptoms of peptic ulcer disease is heartburn, a burning feeling right in the middle of the chest as a result of the acidic actions on the walls of the stomach and esophagus.

Other symptoms include; loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of being bloated.

PREVENTION

One of the key elements to preventing peptic ulcer is lifestyle modifications, including properly prepared clean diet that includes fruits and vegetables, not smoking or taking alcohol, regular exercise and not abusing medications like Ibuprofen, Felvin, and Diclofenac.

MANAGEMENT

Once the symptoms of peptic ulcer is noticed, it is advised to see a doctor and not practice self-medication or visit chemists. This is because, on some occasions, what may be thought to be pain from an ulcer might just be an indication of a heart or lung disease, and these distinctions can only be made professionally by a doctor and treated appropriately.

CONCLUSION

I would conclude by dissuading the use of agbo (herbal concoctions) in the management of peptic ulcer. It’s more like solving one problem and creating an even bigger one. Agbo is the culprit responsible for the large majority of kidney failure in Nigeria today. A heartburn is better than no kidneys.

Let's Connect🎈

_toriwealth on all social media platforms.