digestive disorders
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease
Antibiotics Acid-reducing medications Antacids Sometimes surgery Because infection withH. pyloribacteria is a major cause of ulcers, treatment ofH. pyloriinfection with two antibiotics together withbismuth subsalicylateand a proton pump inhibitor (called quadruple therapy) is given when infection is diagnosed. Several different antibiotics may be used, includingamoxicillin,clarithromycin,metronidazole, andtetracycline. Some treatments include two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor withoutbismuth subsalicylate(called triple therapy). block the production of stomach acid. The most commonly used acid-reducing medications include Proton Pump Inhibitors and Antacids such as liquids or tablets that contain Neutralizing or reducing stomach acid promotes healing of peptic ulcers regardless of the cause. In most people, treatment is continued for 4 to 8 weeks. Although bland diets may help reduce acid, no evidence supports the belief that such diets speed healing or keep ulcers from recurring. Nevertheless, it makes sense for people to avoid foods that seem to make pain and bloating worse. Eliminating possible stomach irritants, such as NSAIDs, alcohol, andnicotine, is also important. Surgeryfor ulcers is now rarely needed because medications so effectively heal peptic ulcers and endoscopy so effectively stops active bleeding. Surgery is used primarily to deal with complications of a peptic ulcer, such as A perforation An obstruction that fails to respond to medication or that recurs Two or more major episodes of bleeding ulcers A gastric ulcer suspected of being cancerous Severe and frequent recurrences of peptic ulcers A number of different surgical procedures may be done to treat these complications. Surgery can also be done to reduce the production of acid and ensure the stomach can drain properly. However, ulcers may recur after surgery, and each procedure may cause problems of its own, such as weight loss, poor digestion, frequent bowel movements ( Roux-en-Y gastric bypass ), and anemia. 