Stomach Ulcer

Stomach ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices reduce. Additionally, This allows the digestive acids to eat away at the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer.

Stomach ulcers may be easily cured, but they can become severe without proper treatment.

Indian epidemiology then other

• An infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
• Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen

Rarely, a condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers by increasing the body’s production of acid. This syndrome is suspected to cause less than 1 percent of all peptic ulcers.

• Chronic obstructive lung disease,
• Chronic renal insufficiency,
• Current tobacco use,
• Former tobacco use,
• Older age,
• Three or more doctor visits in a year,
• Coronary heart disease,
• Former alcohol use,
• African American race,
• Obesity, and diabetes. Besides this, The mechanisms by which some of these risk factors lead to Ulcer disease are highlighted below.[1][2]

Pathogenesis refers to the development of a disease. It’s the story of how a disease gets started and progresses.

This is the entire journey of a disease, encompassing the cause but going beyond it.

Pathophysiology, on the other hand, focuses on the functional changes that occur in the body due to the disease. It explains how the disease disrupts normal physiological processes and how this disruption leads to the signs and symptoms we see.

Imagine a car accident. Pathogenesis would be like understanding how the accident happened – what caused it, the sequence of events (e.g., one car ran a red light, then hit another car). Pathophysiology would be like understanding the damage caused by the accident – the bent fenders, deployed airbags, and any injuries to the passengers.

In simpler terms, pathogenesis is about the "why" of a disease, while pathophysiology is about the "how" of the disease’s effects.

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Sign & Symptoms

• Abdominal pain is common to many GI disorders, including DU also GU, but has a poor predictive value for the presence of Either DU or GU. Up to 10% of patients with NSAID-induced mucosal Disease can present with a complication (bleeding, perforation, and obstruction) without antecedent symptoms. Despite this poor correlation, a careful history and physical examination are essential components of the approach to a patient suspected of having peptic ulcers.
• Epigastric pain described as a either burning or gnawing discomfort can be present in both DU and GU.
• The discomfort is also described as an ill-defined, aching sensation or as hunger pain.
• The typical pain pattern in DU occurs 90 minutes to 3 hours after a meal also is frequently relieved by antacids or food.

Other symptoms

• Pain that awakes the patient from sleep (between midnight and 3 A.M.) is the most discriminating by symptom, with two-thirds of DU patients describing this complaint.
• Dull pain in the stomach
• Weight loss
• Not wanting to eat because of pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating
• Feeling easily full
• Burping or acid reflux
• Anemia, whose symptoms can include tiredness, shortness of breath, or paler skin
• Dark, tarry stools
• Vomit that’s either bloody or looks like coffee grounds [1][2]

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Complications are what happen after you have a disease. They are the negative consequences of the disease process.

1.  pylorimay be the source of your symptoms, the following tests can either confirm or rule out this possibility:[2]

• A blood tests. The presence of certain infection-fighting cells could mean you have an H. pylori infection.
• A stool antigen test. In this test, a stool sample sent to a lab for testing. Additionally, The test looks for certain proteins in the stool related to H. pylori.
• A urea breath test. A urea breath test involves swallowing a pill that contains a special formulation of urea. You breathe into a collection bag before and after swallowing the pill, and then your carbon dioxide levels measure. When H. pylori is present, the urea in the pill broken down into a certain type of carbon dioxide that can detect.[2]

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

An EGD test involves passing a lighted flexible instrument with a camera on its end, known as a scope, through your mouth and down into the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Your doctor will be able to look for ulcers and other abnormal areas, as well as take a tissue sample (biopsy). They may even be able to treat certain conditions.

Upper gastrointestinal series

Your doctor may also order a test called a barium swallow or an upper GI series. This test involves drinking a solution with a small amount of liquid material that easily shows up on an X-ray.

Your doctor will then take several X-rays to see how the solution moves through your digestive system. This allows them to look for conditions that affect the oesophagus, stomach, also small intestine.[2]

• The physician’s goal in treating PUD is to provide relief of symptoms (either pain or dyspepsia), promote ulcer healing, and ultimately prevent ulcer recurrence and complications.
• Ulcers caused by  pylori will most likely need to treat with antibiotics. In detail, Strict adherence to your treatment plan and close follow-up with your doctor is the best ways to make sure your treatments are effective and your ulcers are healing.
• You will also prescribe a medication that temporarily keeps your stomach from making or secreting as much acid as it normally would. All in all, This medication may a proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker.[2]

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Stomach ulcers are sores or ulcers arising in the lining of the stomach. They also known as gastric ulcers. In a majority of the cases, stomach ulcers cause by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacterium.

Another frequent cause is long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers help to heal the sores in the stomach and prevent the tendency towards stomach ulcers in the chronic phase.   [3]

Tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol and stress are the risk factors that predispose a person to stomach ulcers. The protective mucus lining of the stomach is reduced due to the above causes. This allows the acid content of the stomach to eat away the inner tissue lining, resulting in ulcer formation.

Homeopathic Medicines for Stomach Ulcers

Homeopathy offers a very safe and effective treatment for stomach ulcers. Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers primarily help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms of stomach ulcers in the acute phase. Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers are selected as per individual symptoms that vary from person to person. Argentum Nitricum, Nux Vomica, Kali Bichromicum, Lycopodium, Carbo Veg, Hydrastis, Phosphorous, and Graphites are the top remedies for stomach ulcers.[3]

1. Argentum Nitricum –

·      For Stomach Ulcers with Radiating Pains

• In my experience, Argentum Nitricum rates among the best medicines for stomach ulcers. This medicine is well indicated when sharp ulcerative or burning pain is felt in the stomach and radiates to other regions of the abdomen.
• The pain is sometimes gnawing in nature. Symptoms such as belching, nausea, vomiting may also appear along with these radiating pains.
• Abdominal distension may also be present in such cases where Argentum Nitricum will prove one of the most effective medicines for stomach ulcers.

2. Nux Vomica –

·      For Stomach Ulcers where Eating Worsens Pain

• Nux Vomica has shown the most satisfactory results in stomach ulcer cases where pain in the stomach felt from eating even the smallest amount of food.
• The stomach region is also sensitive to touch in such cases. Nux Vomica also one of the best-suit medicines for stomach ulcers where spicy food, coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic drinks worsen the symptoms.
• Tightness and pressure may feel in the stomach after eating. Nausea, vomiting, eructation’s, flatulence, and heartburn may accompany the above symptoms.

3. Kali Bichromicum –

·      For Ulcers in Stomach

• Kali Bichromicum is another of the top-grade medicines for stomach ulcers. I have seen amazing recoveries in gastric ulcer cases with Kali Bichromicum.
• It is indicated in round ulcers with a feeling of heaviness in the stomach soon after eating. The food seems to sit in the stomach like a load.
• Appetite is low in cases where Kali Bichromicum will work as one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers.

4. Lycopodium Clavatum –

·      For Bloated Abdomen

• Lycopodium has proved itself as the most useful among medicines for stomach ulcers where the main symptoms are burning, constrictive pains attended with marked flatulence also fullness/bloating of the abdomen.
• Bloating starts soon after eating. A person in need of Lycopodium may get relief in pain from taking warm water. Farinaceous food like cabbage and beans worsen the symptoms.
• Lastly, Lycopodium Clavatum is known among the best medicines for stomach ulcers with any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

5. Carbo Veg –

·      For Stomach Ulcers

• Carbo Veg is another of the prominently indicated medicines for stomach ulcers. It is most helpful when burning pain in the stomach is accompanied by either sour belching or heartburn.
• The pain may extend from the stomach to the back. The epigastric area may also be sensitive and tender to touch.
• Eating the smallest amount of food, even light food, worsens the symptoms in such cases where Carbo Veg will prove the most effective among Homeopathic medicines especially for stomach ulcers to heal the condition.[3]

6. Hydrastis Canadensis –

·      For Stomach Ulcers with Weight Loss

• In my clinical practice, Hydrastis has proved extremely effective in treating stomach ulcers where they are accompanied by weight loss and emaciation.
• Furthermore, A key symptom is a constant sore feeling in the stomach. Cutting and sharp pain in the stomach may also be present in cases where Hydrastis works as one of the most effective medicines for stomach ulcers.
• Weakness and a loathing of food in epigastrium are other symptoms to look out for. Hydrastis is also one of the major medicines for chronic gastritis.

7. Graphites –

·      For Stomach Ulcers with Vomiting after Eating

• In case of ulcers with vomiting immediately after eating food, Graphites has shown the most promising results among medicines for stomach ulcers. Constrictive and burning pain in the stomach experience after eating.
• Excessive belching, the taste of ingesta is also an attending symptom in such cases where Graphites prescribe as one of the most reliable medicines for stomach ulcers.

8. Phosphorus –

·      For Stomach Ulcers where Cold Drinks bring Relief

• Phosphorus rate among the most reliable medicines for stomach ulcers where having a cold drink relieves pain.
• Burning in the stomach after eating complain of. Along with this, sour, bitter belching may also experience in such cases.
• Phosphorus made its place among the top-rated Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers with the above symptoms.[3]

• In the past, it was thought that diet could cause ulcers. We know now this isn’t true. We also know that while the foods you eat won’t cause or cure a stomach ulcer, eating a healthful diet can benefit your intestinal tract and overall health.[2]
• In general, it’s a good idea to eat a diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber.
• That said, it’s possible that some foods play a role in eliminating  pylori. Foods that may help fight off H. pylori or boost the body’s own healthy bacteria include:

1. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes
2. Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale
3. Probiotic-rich foods, such as sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, yogurt (especially with lactobacillus and Sacharomyces)
4. Apples
5. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries
6. Olive oil
7. Additionally, since people with stomach ulcers may have accompanying acid reflux disease, it is a good idea to stay away from spicy and sour foods while an ulcer is healing.[2]

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1. Harrison-s_Principles_of_Internal_Medicine-_19th_Edition-_2_Volume_Set
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/gastric-and-duodenal-ulcers#prevention
3. https://www.drhomeo.com/homeopathic-treatment/homeopathic-medicines-for-stomach-ulcers/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stomach Ulcer?

Stomach ulcers, which are also known as gastric ulcers, are painful sores in the stomach lining. Stomach ulcers are a type of peptic ulcer disease.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Stomach Ulcer?

• Argentum Nitricum
• Nux Vomica
• Kali Bichromicum
• Lycopodium
• Carbo Veg
• Hydrastis
• Graphites

What triggers Stomach Ulcer?

• Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori
• Chronic obstructive lung disease
• Chronic renal insufficiency
• Current tobacco use
• Former tobacco use
• Older age
• Three or more doctor visits in a year
• Coronary heart disease

What are the symptoms of Stomach Ulcer?

• Abdominal Pain
• Epigastric Pain
• Discomfort
• Dull pain in the stomach
• Weight loss
• Not wanting to eat because of pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating