Gastric ulcer: the most effective dietary supplements

Gastric ulcer is a lesion of the stomach mucosa that penetrates beyond the muscularis mucosae, resulting in loss of tissue in the gastric wall. This type of ulcer primarily affects people over 60 years old.

Causes

The cause of gastric ulcer is mainly related to infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H. pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa, causing chronic inflammation that can progress to an ulcer. It is responsible for about 70% of gastric ulcers. Other risk factors include: • Smoking: it increases the risk of ulcer and slows healing. • Alcoholism and stress: contribute to the development of ulcers by weakening the mucosal defenses. • Advanced age: the risk increases with age, especially in older people who regularly take NSAIDs.

Symptoms

Symptoms include: • Epigastric pain (often described as burning or cramping), usually occurring after meals. • Nausea, vomiting, sometimes with the presence of blood. • Loss of appetite and weight loss. In some cases, ulcers can be asymptomatic until complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation occur.

Treatment

Medical treatments include: • Eradication of H. pylori: a triple therapy combining a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with two antibiotics (amoxicillin and clarithromycin or metronidazole in case of resistance) for 10 to 14 days is recommended. • Discontinuation of NSAIDs: where possible, it is advised to stop NSAIDs or to replace them with selective COX-2 inhibitors, which are less harmful to the gastric mucosa. • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): these medications reduce gastric acid production, facilitating ulcer healing. • Endoscopic follow-up: a follow-up endoscopy is often performed to verify ulcer healing and to ensure there is no malignant transformation. In the case of severe complications (bleeding, perforation), surgical intervention may be necessary.