The term peptic ulcer refers to an open sore on the inside lining of the esophagus, stomach, and/or the upper portion of the small intestine, particularly the duodenum. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is abdominal pain. The reason(s) why peptic ulcers develop is not well understood. It has been postulated that there is a shift in the balance of mucosa-protecting (secretion of bicarbonate and mucus) and mucosa-dam aging (secretion of acid and pepsin) mechanisms. A common cause of ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Usually, H. pylori causes no problems; however, it sometimes can disrupt the mucous layer so that the lining of the stomach or duodenum develops inflammation, thereby producing an ulcer.

About 5 million people in the U.S. currently have peptic ulcer disease. About 25 million people in the U.S. are expected to develop peptic ulcers at some point in their lives. Peptic ulcer disease affects all age groups, but is rare in children. Men have twice the risk of ulcers as women. The risk of duodenal ulcers tends to rise, beginning around age 25, and continues until age 75. The risk of gastric ulcers peaks at ages 55–65. Although individuals with duodenal ulcer disease clearly have increased rates of gastric acid secretion, and although gastrin is a potent secretagogue of HCl secretion, it has not been possible to directly implicate gastrin in the etiology of duodenal ulcer disease.

H2 blockers interfere with acid production by blocking histamine, a substance produced by the body that encourages acid secretion in the stomach. Four H2 drugs have a proven value in the treatment of duodenal ulcer disease; they are famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid). All have good safety profiles and few side effects.

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

جناح العتبة العباسية المقدسة في معرض طهران الدولي يشهد فعاليات متنوِّعة

شعبة مدارس الكفيل تطلق حملتها السنوية لدعم العوائل المتعففة في شهر رمضان المبارك

بأجواء رمضانية مميزة.. مجموعة مشاتل الكفيل تستقبل العوائل العراقية يوميًا

المجمع العلمي: الختمة القرآنية الرمضانية المركزية المرتلة تشهد تنوعًا في القراءات والمشاركات

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

دراسة تكشف "السبب الخفي" وراء ترك التمارين الرياضية

كشف التوقيت "المثالي" لتغيير فرشاة الأسنان

بلاستيك في أنسجة بشرية.. دراسة تكشف مفاجأة طبية

دراسة تحذر من الإفراط في ممارسة الرياضة.. كيف يضر دماءك؟

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

"ديب سيك" تحجب أحدث نماذجها عن شركات الرقائق الأميركية

"سامسونغ" تطلق سلسلة هواتف "غالاكسي إس 26"

حملات سرية ورسائل تشويه.. كيف يتم استغلال "تشات جي بي تي"؟

أثر نفسي غير متوقع للرياضة.. مرتبط بالغضب

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

Nosology of Hemoglobinopathies

Infections of the Urinary Tract: Types of Infection and Their Clinical Manifestations

Toxic Goitre

Infections of the Urinary Tract : Pathogenesis

Infections of the Urinary Tract : Etiologic Agents

Infections of the Sinuses

Pathology of Acromegaly

clinical Features of Hyperprolactinaemia and Prolactinomas

Infections of the Ears : Diseases, Epidemiology, and Etiology of Disease

Encephalitis/Meningoencephalitis

Secondary Forms of Pure Red Cell Aplasia

Pathophysiology of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria