Stomach ulcer refers to open lesions and ulcerations at the level
of the stomach. Statistics indicate that more than two percent of the
people in the United States are diagnosed with stomach ulcer each year
and it is estimated that around eight to ten percent of these people are
at risk of developing various other forms of ulcer over the years. In
the United States there are approximately half a million annual cases of
stomach ulcer. The disorder has the highest incidence in the male
gender, and it predominantly affects people with ages over 50.
Stomach
ulcer is considered to be a serious disorder. In the absence of medical
treatment, stomach ulcer can lead to complications such as stomach
perforation and internal bleeding. There are many forms of treatment for
stomach ulcer in present. However, the problem with most medications is
that they only provide temporary symptomatic relief, allowing the
disorder to reoccur soon after completing the prescribed medical
treatment.
Stomach ulcer is a digestive disorder that occurs due
to physiological abnormalities (poor stomach production of bicarbonate,
poor integrity of the stomach's mucosal protective cover, inappropriate
mucosal blood flow, overproduction of pepsin and gastric acid) and
infection with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Although these
bacteria are known to be a major cause of stomach ulcer, most doctors
neglect this aspect and only prescribe medications for normalizing the
stomach's production of digestive fluids. Although antacids and other
medications commonly used in the treatment for stomach ulcer can keep
the disorder under control, they can't overcome the ulcer completely.
Unless the treatment with antacids is followed on a regular basis, the
symptoms of stomach ulcer are very likely to reoccur.
One of the
most common medications used in the treatment for stomach ulcer is
Tagamet. This ulcer drug acts by reducing the levels of gastric acid and
pepsin inside the stomach. The problem with Tagamet and other antacids
is that they only provide short-term effects. Most people affected by
stomach ulcer experience a relapse of the disorder soon after
interrupting the treatment with Tagamet.
Since the underlying
cause of stomach ulcer is infection with Helicobacter pylori, people
with the disorder should also receive a medical treatment with
antibiotics. Research results indicate that people with stomach ulcer
who have been prescribed a course of antibiotics such as amoxicillin or
penicillin have experienced a considerable amelioration of their ulcer.
In addition, most people with stomach ulcer who have followed treatments
with antibiotics have been permanently cured. Unlike antacids,
antibiotics can provide long-term effects for people affected by stomach
ulcer, thus minimizing the chances of relapse.
A two-week course
of amoxicillin is usually sufficient for overcoming the infection with
Helicobacter pylori. Corroborated with antacids, antibiotic treatments
can successfully cure stomach ulcers, minimizing the chances of relapse.
