Other Causes Of Peptic Ulcers
Other potential causes of peptic ulcers include:
- Genetics: Many individuals with peptic ulcers have close relatives with the same problem, suggesting that genetic factors may be contributing.
- Smoking: People who regularly smoke tobacco
A persons description of symptoms will often cause a doctor to suspect a peptic ulcer during a routine exam.
Tests that can confirm a diagnosis include:
- a blood test to check for H. pylori, though a positive test does not always mean there is an active infection
- a breath test, which uses a radioactive carbon atom to detect H. pylori
- a stool antigen test to detect H. pylori in the feces
- an upper gastrointestinal X-ray to identify ulcers
The most common tool doctors use for diagnosis is EsophagoGastroDuodenoscopy or upper endoscopy. It involves inserting a tube through the mouth to look for the presence of an ulcer in the stomach and upper intestine.
If the test detects an ulcer, the doctor may take a biopsy for examination under a microscope. A biopsy can test for H. pylori and look for evidence of cancer. A person may need to repeat an endoscopy a few months later to determine whether the ulcer is healing.
Treatment will focus on either lowering stomach acid levels so that the ulcer can heal or eradicating the H. pylori infection. The following are common treatment methods a doctor may recommend:
A balanced diet filled with fruits and vegetables and lacking in intense spices and flavors may help a person feel better.
What Is Interstitial Cystitis/bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome is a chronic bladder health issue. It is a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area. Along with this pain are lower urinary tract symptoms which have lasted for more than 6 weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. For some patients the symptoms may come and go, and for others they don’t go away. IC/BPS is not an infection, but it may feel like a bladder infection. Women with IC/BPS may feel pain when having sex. The more severe cases of IC/BPS can affect your life and your loved ones. Some people with IC/BPS have other health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes.
The bladder and kidneys are part of the urinary system, the organs in our bodies that make, store, and pass urine. You have 2 kidneys that make urine. Then urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles in the lower part of your abdomen hold your bladder in place.
How the Urinary System Works
What Foods Soothe A Peptic Ulcer
High-fiber foods and those high in vitamin A may help soothe a persons stomach. Some examples include oats, barley, apples, and sweet potatoes.
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- Levenstein, S., et al. . Psychological stress increases risk for peptic ulcer, regardless of Helicobacter pylori infection or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
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How Do Nsaids Cause A Peptic Ulcer
To understand how NSAIDs cause peptic ulcer disease, it is important to understand how NSAIDs work. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, or swelling.
Everyone has two enzymes that produce chemicals in your bodys cells that promote pain, inflammation, and fever. NSAIDs work by blocking or reducing the amount of these enzymes that your body makes. However, one of the enzymes also produces another type of chemical that protects the stomach lining from stomach acid and helps control bleeding. When NSAIDs block or reduce the amount of this enzyme in your body, they also increase your chance of developing a peptic ulcer.
Peptic Ulcer Disease And The Risk Of Bladder Cancer In A Prospective Study Of Male Health Professionals
Dominique S. Michaud, Pauline A. Mysliwiec, Walid Aldoori, Walter C. Willett, Edward Giovannucci Peptic Ulcer Disease and the Risk of Bladder Cancer in a Prospective Study of Male Health Professionals. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1 February 2004 13 : 250254.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti
It is an infection of the urinary tract. The bladder and urethra are the most typically infected parts of the urinary system. Women are more likely to have it than men.According to analysis, H-pylori patients may undergo UTI-like symptoms. This association is essential in the pathogenesis of IC with inflammation of the bladder wall cells.
Warning Signs Of Ulcers
Ulcer is the result of an imbalance in your digestive fluids. It is considered to be a painful sore in the stomach lining or at the opening of the small intestine. Below are the 10 warning signs of ulcers you should know:
1. Abdominal pain: Experiencing a burning sensation or pain in the middle or upper part of the stomach after eating or at night.
2. Flu-like symptoms: Flu like symptoms such as nausea, fever, fatigue and general malaise does not go away over the next few days.
3. Indigestion: Ulcer can cause gastrointestinal pain and terrible indigestion.
4. Loss of appetite: Individual with ulcer may experience appetite loss due to intense and sudden stomach pain.
5. Nausea: Imbalance of digestive juices often lead to nausea. You will likely experience mild to severe nausea with an ulcer.
6. Heavy abdomen: Abdominal heaviness is a common thing to feel as an ulcer develops. The feeling of heaviness in the belly is similar to the burdensome feeling you can get after drinking lots of water.
7. Unexplained hunger: It is also common for someone with ulcer to feel hunger pangs after only a couple of hours from eating a full meal. These are not hunger pangs, but rather ulcer pains, that are caused by increased digestive juices.
8. Sudden weight loss: Loss of appetite may cause sudden weight loss due to lack of eating.
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Does Drinking Water Help Uc
Its important to drink water when you have UC. Having enough fluids will replenish what you lose through diarrhea.
Water alone may not be enough. Your body also loses electrolytes like salt, potassium, and magnesium when you have diarrhea.
Drinking water plus electrolytes can help you stay hydrated. You can find that combination in the form of an oral rehydration solution at your local pharmacy. Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade also contain electrolytes and fluid.
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You Bleed When You Use The Bathroom
Blood coming from the gastrointestinal tract can signal a variety of underlying health issues, but Dr. Sengupta says when this bleeding is combined with upper abdominal pain, hes highly suspicious that its one of the signs of an ulcer. Many patients notice this blood either when vomiting, or when using the bathroom, as their stools may appear black. If you notice youre suffering from a bleeding GI tract, along with nausea and pain in the stomach or chest, Dr. Sengupta says doctors will often perform a blood test or an upper endoscopywhere they use a camera to look into the stomach itselfto check if an ulcer is the culprit. Blood in your stool can also be due to hemorrhoids or a symptom of colon cancer, so its a good idea to get checked out by your doctor.
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Stomach Cancer And Other Conditions Associated With H Pylori
H pylori is strongly associated with certain cancers. Some studies have also linked it to a number of non-gastrointestinal illnesses, although the evidence is inconsistent.
Stomach Cancers
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In developing countries, where the rate of H pylori is very high, the risk of stomach cancer is six times higher than in the United States. Evidence now suggests that H pylori may be as carcinogenic to the stomach as cigarette smoke is to the lungs.
Infection with H pylori promotes a precancerous condition called atrophic gastritis. The process most likely starts in childhood. It may lead to cancer through the following steps:
- The stomach becomes chronically inflamed and loses patches of glands that secrete protein and acid.
- New cells replace destroyed cells. But the new cells do not produce enough acid to protect against carcinogens.
- Over time, cancer cells may develop and multiply in the stomach.
Although the evidence is mixed, some research suggests that early elimination of H pylori may reduce the risk of stomach cancer to that of the general population. It is important to follow patients after treatment for a long period of time.
Other Diseases
H pylori also is weakly associated with other non-intestinal disorders, including migraine headache, Raynaud disease , and skin disorders such as chronic hives.
What Is The Best Diet For Ulcerative Colitis
Theres no single diet that works best for ulcerative colitis. If the disease damages the lining of the colon, your body might not absorb enough nutrients from food. Your healthcare provider may recommend supplemental nutrition or vitamins. Its best to work with your provider and nutritionist to come up with a personalized diet plan.
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Can A Stomach Ulcer Cause Blood In The Urine
Not sure if you realize it, but you and your pee are in an extremely committing connection. After all, youve been doing it since birth, which means you have an exact concept of what your pee should look like. When you see blood in your urine, its not exactly blood.Blood in your urine can be alarming. Gross hematuria, which is blood you can see in your urine, can make your pee look pink, red, or like you spilled some Coke down the bathroom. Microscopic hematuria is blood in your urine that is only visible under a microscope.
See your physician if you have any signs of a bladder disorder. Theyll likely test your urine and, if you have an infection, give you antibiotics to help clear it. Without prompt treatment, a bladder infection can turn into a kidney infection, so dont try to push through it.
What Are The Tests For Hematuria
If you have blood in the urine, your healthcare provider will typically ask you for a urine sample. A full urinalysis will not only look out for red blood cells but protein, glucose, or any signs of infection. The presence of excess protein is particularly helpful as it may point your healthcare provider in the direction of kidney impairment.
Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to pinpoint the exact cause of bleeding:
- Blood tests may be used to evaluate creatinine and blood urea nitrogen , among other things
- Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, computerized tomography scan, or magnetic imaging resonance
- Cystoscopy may be used to visually examine the bladder using a flexible catheter equipped with a camera that is inserted through the urethra
- A biopsy may be required to evaluate any suspicious findings in your kidneys or bladder
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Common Warning Signs Of Ulcers
Ulcers are a common medical issue that affects about one in ten people in America. They occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed. You can get them anywhere on your body for any reason, but the most common form of ulcers occur in your stomach.
Although there is no single cause for an ulcer, many factors can increase your risk of stomach ulcers including painkillers, excessive drinking of alcohol and smoking tobacco. Luckily, ulcers are easy to treat once you recognize the symptoms of them. Here are five common signs of a stomach ulcer:
Abdominal Pain: A burning sensation may occur in your stomach. The pain will come and go in waves and is often accompanied by bloating. Many may confuse this feeling with acid reflux or other similar diseases. If the abdominal pain starts after you eat, keeps you up at night, and lasts a prolonged period it might be an ulcer.
Nausea: Due to the imbalance in your digestive system, mild to severe nausea may occur, either first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, or after eating. Because of nausea that will occur, rapid weight loss also comes in conjunction with it as well.
Bloating: A feeling of heaviness and fullness can occur in the stomach, usually the same feeling you get after drinking a full glass of water.
Natural Treatments And Home Remedies
You can try the following natural home remedies to find relief when you have abdominal pain or gas trouble.
- You can use a heating pad to feel better. This helps with various types of abdominal pain, including cramps in the lower abdomen.
- You can take one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey and mix it in a cup of water. This can help you feel better from abdominal pain.
- If there are certain trigger foods, you should avoid those foods. For example, avoiding spicy foods has helped many people find relief.
- Peppermint is a great idea for lower abdomen pain. You can make peppermint tea or chew the peppermint leaves.
- You can drink plenty of water daily. This can help you feel better.
- You can use ginger for relief from abdominal pain. You can take ginger supplements or cut it and make tea with ginger for pain relief in the stomach.
- You can follow the BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet can help ease pain symptoms.
- You can start meditation, yoga, and exercising regularly – all of this helps to calm your mind and relieve pain.
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Assessment Of Smoking Medication Use Diet And Other Factors
At baseline, and biennially thereafter, men provided information on their current smoking status, medication use, weight, height, and geographic location. The baseline questionnaire provided detailed information on past smoking habits, time since quitting, average number of cigarettes smoked/day before age 15 and at ages 1519, 2029, 3039, 4049, 5059, and 60 and older. To control for smoking, total pack-years of smoking was derived to incorporate all past smoking experience. One cigarette pack-year is equivalent to having smoked one pack or 20 cigarettes/day over an entire year. Questions on current medication use in 1986 included commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and two H2-receptor antagonists .
A 131-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was completed at baseline. This questionnaire assesses average frequency of dietary intake over the previous year. Total fluid intake was calculated using the 22 beverage items, including water, on the food frequency questionnaire. The information on frequency and serving size was combined to give each member a score in milliliters . Vitamin E intake was calculated from the food frequency questionnaire using both dietary and supplement data. Frequency of cruciferous vegetable intake was summed across its individual constituents .
Whats New In Nutritional Therapy For Ibd
Eating to help the gut heal itself is one of the new concepts in IBD treatment, and numerous experimental studies are being conducted in this area. Fish or flaxseed oils, in the diet or as supplements, have been used to help fight the inflammation in IBD. The complex carbohydrates that are not digested by the small bowel, such as psyllium, stimulate the bacteria in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids help the mucosa of the colon to heal itself.
Another approach is the use of probiotics, which are just beginning to be appreciated as a therapeutic aid in IBD. Probiotics are good bacteria that restore balance to the enteric microflora-bacteria that live in everybodys intestine. Lactobacillus preparations and live-culture yogurt can be very helpful in aiding recovery of the intestine. There is much work being done in the use of diet and supplements to aid in the healing of IBD and much more to be learned.
Cancer chemoprevention with minerals , vitamins and medications is a developing field, and there will be more about this as new research studies are published.
In summary, while diet and nutrition do not play a role in causing IBD, maintaining a well-balanced diet that is rich in nutrients can help you to live a healthier life. Proper nutrition depends, in large part, on whether you have Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis, and what part of your intestine is affected. Its important to talk to your doctor to develop a diet that works for you.
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Red Flags For Swollen Stomach And Back Pain
Bloating causes a distended stomach when the abdomen fills up with gas or air. This discomforting sensation can also cause pain that may be felt in the back. Together, a swollen stomach and back pain can make you feel not only distressed but perhaps a bit self-conscious as well.
The two symptoms are tied together because the back provides support and stabilizes the body. However, abdominal bloating causes pressure and pain in the area which can spread to the back. The pain may vary in severity and type from sensations of dull throbbing to sharp and pinching pain.
When the two symptoms are experienced separately they are fairly common and not usually a cause for concern. But in instances where a bloating stomach pain is also accompanied by back pain, they could be indicative of a more serious condition. These should not be taken lightly as they can include the following:
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Ulcerative Colitis Risk Factors
Most people with UC dont have a family history of the condition. However, about 12 percent of people with UC do have a family member with IBD, according to research from 2014.
UC can develop in a person of any race, but its more common in white people. If youre of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, you have a greater chance of developing the condition than most other groups.
Young people with IBD may also be dealing with acne at the same time. Some older studies have suggested a possible link between the use of the cystic acne medication isotretinoin and UC. However, newer research has yet to find a definitive causal relationship.
Theres no solid evidence indicating that your diet affects whether you develop UC. You may find that certain foods and drinks aggravate your symptoms when you have a flare-up, though.
Practices that may help include:
- drinking small amounts of water throughout the day
- eating smaller meals throughout the day
- limiting your intake of high fiber foods
- avoiding fatty foods
- lowering your intake of milk if youre lactose intolerant
Also, ask a doctor if you should take a multivitamin.
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