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Smoking and Peptic Ulcer |
What is Peptic ulcer?
A definite soring developed in the mucus membrane, skin, eyes or in various other parts of the body on account of their destruction due to inflammation or infection is known as an ulcer and peptic ulcer is the ulcer formed at the esophageal cardium, duodenum or in the stomach when these organs suffer from painful swelling or infection.
Causes of Peptic Ulcer
- Infection of the stomach on account of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
- Pepsin, a stomach enzyme used for digestion
- Aspirin and medicines to treat Arthritis such as Voltaren, Indocin, Lodine, Aleve, Feldene, Naprosyn and ibuprofen (Advil)
- Smoking
- Tumors developed in the pancreas or stomach
Tidbits on Smoking and Peptic Ulcer
The principal cause of peptic ulcer in human beings is found to be the bacteria Helicobacter pylori but along with this factor, it has been found that the smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco substances can also precipitate the occurrence of peptic ulcer. For a comprehensive glance on smoking and peptic ulcer related facts, a couple of pointers are specified below:
- According to research-based facts, people who take to smoking cigarettes are more prone to develop peptic ulcer. Further, it has been found that the peptic ulcer afflicted people, who smoke, may take a considerably long time to recover from the grip of ulcers.
- It has also been discovered that on account of continuous smoking, people risk getting infection from the bacteria Helicobacter pyloriis and hence are more likely to develop ulcers.
- Studies have also discovered that smoking can lead to excessive formation of stomach acid, which can further accelerate the growth of ulcers. Moreover, it is also found that smoking reduces the production of sodium bicarbonate, a salt-like material that helps in the neutralization of stomach acid in the duodenum. And with cigarette smoking creating hindrance in the neutralization of stomach acid, this substance becomes largely available inside the body which is none other than a precursor to the formation of ulcers.
Treatment of Peptic Ulcer
The peptic ulcer developed in the stomach, duodenum and other specific parts of the body can be treated successfully and the effects of the ulcers can be eliminated if specific treatment procedures are implemented.
- The most frequently used ulcer treatment is the treatment of the infection triggered off by the bacteria Helicobacter via medicines such as antibiotics. With antibiotics treating the infection properly, the ulcers vanish for ever.
- Stomach acid is one of the primary causes of ulcer development and so physicians recommend acid-suppressing drugs to patients to stop or reduce the production of stomach acid in the system.
- If excessive cigarette smoking leads to ulcer formation then abstinence from smoking is the proper way to prevent further harm from ulcers. Similarly, if an ulcer is formed on the body due to an arthritis drug or aspirin, then stopping the usage of these medications abruptly would be the best possible cure.
- It is further recommended that when an ulcer unleashes a serious impact on the patient, he should immediately stop the intake of alcohol as well as caffeine for the reason that both these substances can accelerate the accumulation of stomach acid in the system.
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