Ulcers Are No Laughing Matter


Peptic ulcers, which are in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the intestine leading from the stomach) can occur at any age and affect both men and women. Untreated, sufferers can look forward to a long siege with them. But today's peptic ulcer sufferers have a brighter prospect for relief than did those of even a single generation ago. There is now less than 1 chance in 18 that surgery will every be necessary and new medications act faster and better and offer more relief than ever before.

The warning sign of active ulcers you will most likely experience (if you get any warning at all) is a gnawing discomfort in the middle or upper abdomen that typically comes between meals or in the middle of the night. Food or liquids, including antacids and milk, can provide some temporary relief, but milk might not be all that good a remedy since it stimulates production of hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices which further aggravates the pain.

Antacids blended from aluminum, calcium or magnesium salts, have long been the non prescription drugs most people quickly reach for to get relief from their stomach pains. But, because antacids interfere with absorption of some medications, be sure to go over this with your doctor and get his approval.

You should never ignore any warning signs of ulcers. Ulcer complications are serious and in some cases can be life-threatening. If paid from ulcers persists after more than 10 to 14 days of self-treatment or comes back when treatment ends, you should see your doctor. The passing of blood through the bowels may be caused by some other problem, but it can also be an urgent warning of a bleeding ulcer.

Bleeding ulcers can cause anemia or, if the ulcer gets larger it may expand into a major blood vessel, a leak can turn into a hemorrhage, with only minutes available for life saving emergency treatment. Ulcers can also perforate and may erode completely through the wall of the stomach or duodenum. If this happens and the stomach's contents flow into the abdominal cavity, severe infection can result. A perforated ulcer is an emergency that requires immediate surgery.

It has been determined that smoking doubles a person's risk for ulcer disease. Physicians and researches have found that ulcers heal a lot slower for smokers, and smokers also have a higher relapse rate.

And you're definitely at risk for ulcers if you take aspirin and any of the other products containing aspirin. High-dose Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Maproxen and Piroxicam are in wide use today for many conditions, especially to relive pain and swelling among the millions of people who have arthritis. These medications can irritate the stomach's lining and cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ulcers have frequently been the target for humor in describing the stereotypical aggressive, pressured, goal-or-career-oriented person. But for those who have them, ulcers are certainly no laughing matter. Peptic ulcers strike 1 out of ever 50 Americans each year.

As research continues, there is now mounting evidence that something other than smoking, drinking, spicy meals, or a possible battle with the boss may be associated with ulcers. It is now believed that ulcers are the result of a combination of conditions, the dynamics of which researchers don't yet fully understand.

About The Author

David Grisaffi, C. H. E. K. II, CFT, PN
david@fit-zone.com
253-383-5370

Sign up for my FREE Newsletter and receive a FREE Bonus Report: "Maximum Weight Loss & Fitness". 43,000+ Livinghealthy Newsletter Subscribers.

http://www.fit-zone.com

http://www.flattenyourabs.net

http://www.fitnessgenerator.com/fitdavid


MORE RESOURCES:

McNeil, Wyeth supporting children’s cold medicine measures
Bizjournals.com, NC - 46 minutes ago
“Children’s over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are safe and effective when used as directed, and the leading makers of these medicines are committed ...
Video: Cold Meds Under Fire, Again CBS
Are Your Kids in Danger: Cold Medicine Recall Request by Some Doctors National Ledger
Medicine safety - Dallas Product liability lawyer educates Justice News Flash
Detroit Free Press - Post Chronicle
all 1,371 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

Three Europeans win the 2008 Nobel for medicine
International Herald Tribune, France - 15 hours ago
By Lawrence K. Altman The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to three European scientists who discovered viruses behind two devastating illnesses, ...
Nobel medicine prize reopens old AIDS wounds Reuters South Africa
European Researchers Win Nobels for Medicine Washington Post
Three Europeans Win the 2008 Nobel for Medicine New York Times
AFP - The Money Times
all 1,208 news articles


Campaign Myth: Prevention as Cure-All
New York Times, United States - 16 hours ago
The myth is that like magic, preventive medicine will simultaneously reduce costs and improve health. Senator John McCain argues that “the best care is ...
Should you be tested? Albany Times Union
US Preventive Medicine: Economic Crisis Creates Opportunity in ... SYS-CON Media
all 9 news articles


Discoveries in medicine, energy and global partnerships targets of ...
Media Newswire (press release), NY - 1 hour ago
IRVINE -- With the goal of sparking discoveries in medicine, the environment and sustainable energy, UC Irvine is launching a $1 billion fundraising effort. ...


Academic Medicine Means Business for Ohio: $37.2 Billion Economic ...
MarketWatch - Oct 6, 2008
Quantifying academic medicine's economic impact in areas ranging from tax revenue to job creation, the report underscores the significant role Ohio's seven ...
UC College of Medicine generates $4.8 billion in economic impact Bizjournals.com
$3.1 billion impact for Wright State med school, hospitals Dayton Daily News
UC med units propel growth Cincinnati.com
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com - Knoxville News Sentinel
all 30 news articles


‘Animals are treated with human medicine
New Vision, Uganda - 10 hours ago
He said he had received complaints from farmers, saying when their animals were inspected, the veterinary doctors realise that human medicine was used. ...


조선일보(영문판)

Nobel Medicine Prize Awarded for HIV, Cancer Research
조선일보(영문판), South Korea - 13 hours ago
Three European scientists who discovered the viruses behind AIDS and cervical cancer shared this year's Nobel prize for medicine. Lisa Bryant has more on ...


Neurologist to lead Cleveland Clinic stem-cell, regenerative ...
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH - 9 hours ago
The $19.5 million Third Frontier grant establishing the Cleveland Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine in 2003 helped build laboratory space for ...


Wall Street Journal

Denogean: John McCain: poster boy for socialized medicine?
Tucson Citizen, AZ - 15 hours ago
John McCain, can rail against socialized medicine while benefiting from it. Last week, the Republican candidate for president had an interesting exchange ...
Healthcare's wasted billions Christian Science Monitor
McCain Health Care Plan Terrifying KELOLAND TV
New York Times Examines Business Organizations' Concerns About ... Kaiser network.org
Philadelphia Inquirer - News & Observer
all 1,004 news articles


Bolivia tries to bolster public health with traditional medicine
Scientific American - 18 hours ago
The US has a decidedly ambivalent relationship with alternative medicine, though large numbers of Americans routinely ingest nostrums from ginkgo to garlic. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006